Best culture and media for Oncidium sphacelatum - Orchid Board

Marissa · #1 02-20-2011, 12:54 PM

I recently got this bare root Oncidium from an orchid show and want to know how do you guys grow yours. I am planning to put it in my shade house. Can I use medium bark to pot it or CHC is fine? Do I need to mix it perlite?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

RosieC · #2 02-20-2011, 02:25 PM

Most of my Oncidium Alliance orchids are just in fine bark, although my one that is doing best is in S/H.

Marissa · #3 02-20-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

Most of my Oncidium Alliance orchids are just in fine bark, although my one that is doing best is in S/H.

Thanks Rosie, totally forgot about S/H. I actually have a NoID one that is doing really good on S/H currently with 2 spikes.

Zoi2 · #4 02-20-2011, 02:40 PM

I also grow mine in S/H, they really seem to love it.
Joann

RosieC · #5 02-20-2011, 02:57 PM

Of course timing for S/H is a big thing. That looks like it's new growth has already put out a lot of root so I'm not sure if the timing is right... however I only started experimenting with S/H in the second half of last year so I'm no expert.

tucker85 · #6 02-20-2011, 09:53 PM

Mine is in large coconut husk chips in a clay pot. I think bark would be fine also. I don't have any experience with oncidiums in s/h. Mine is about 2 1/2 feet tall and has eight spikes on it right now. Good luck.

stefpix · #7 02-21-2011, 10:45 AM

I just got a similar division at a orchid show in NJ. I wonder if this gets too big to put it in a SH container. I put it in a 4" clay pot with some lava rock and CHC. How often do you guys water it?
I have a Onc Twinkle and Mtdm Rosy Sunset that are growing well in CHC. Wonder if Onc sphacelathum may have slightly different requirements.

Marissa · #8 02-21-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tucker85

Mine is in large coconut husk chips in a clay pot. I think bark would be fine also. I don't have any experience with oncidiums in s/h. Mine is about 2 1/2 feet tall and has eight spikes on it right now. Good luck.

Wow, I hope mine grows that big. Make sure you post some photos when it blooms.

tucker85 · #9 02-21-2011, 08:33 PM

stefano

I grow outdoors in Florida so my culture methods are probably very different than yours. Most oncidiums want to dry out completely before being watered again. But I don't leave them dry as long as a cattleya because the roots are smaller. During the winter I water them once a week. During the summer it's usually raining. But if it doesn't rain I water them twice a week.

stefpix · #10 02-22-2011, 10:08 AM

Thanks Tucker.

My Twinkle and Rosy Sunset I got at Trader Joe's seem easy / vigorous growers. I had killed a couple of rescue NOID Oncidiums from Lowes. I would like the O. sphacelathum to grow not to decline. Since I grow them in my bedroom the winter temperatures go from 65 to 85 depending on the radiator. Humidity is 25/30 % but I have a Vicks vaporizer that I run every evening by the window where the plants are hanging. I can assume that close to the window glass it may get as low as 50/55 F. I also got a Miltonia spectabilis at the same show. Anyway I love your set up! What is that pot with a lot of roots on the bottom left in the photo you posted?

Stefano