Newb Oncidium Potting Medium Question

[Devogenes]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Unless the plant is potted way too deep, you should see roots at the surface of the pot, growing from the base of the most recent growth/pseudobulb to develop.

When I repot an Oncidium, I use for bark for the new medium, same grade as I would use for Cattleyas.

Hmm interesting, thanks for that advice.

It appears that there might be new root growth happening already. There are some small stems creeping up from the base of the pseudobulb. Are these an indication that the plant is in growth mode? Will I just have to observe them and see if they get longer?

I managed to remove the little fellow from their pot to peek at the lower roots. Along the outside they are quite brown — not particularly green. There doesn't seem to be what I would identify as new growth.

@Ray I would personally rather not use sphagnum given the manner in which it is acquired. I think I would prefer to use wood chips, which seems generally considered acceptable and which would correspond with what I'm doing with the phals which would make things simpler for me as I learn.

I wouldn't say that I'm "limited" to once-per-week watering, though it does seem to be more or less the consensus from what I have read that is an appropriate amount for most orchids in pots.

EDIT: haha, computer inverted the image it looks like. I'm not growing them upside down >.>

[estación seca]

The roots are healthy now. It is easy to overwater orchids in this kind of potting mix. You might want to go to the beginner's forum and look for how to use a wood barbeque skewer to check for moistness.

There are no new vegetative growths. When these occur they will be bright green sprouts pointing upwards.

I would wait to repot this plant until it starts growing, but that means you are going to have to be careful not to overwater.

[Devogenes]

Cool. Thanks for the help!

[wintergirl]

I grow mine bare rooted in a clay pot that fits the roots. I just stuff chunky bark in the sides of the pot to make it fit tight and stabilize the plant. I water about every 3-6 days depending on the temp.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Devogenes

@Ray I would personally rather not use sphagnum given the manner in which it is acquired. I think I would prefer to use wood chips, which seems generally considered acceptable and which would correspond with what I'm doing with the phals which would make things simpler for me as I learn.

Using bark chips to "standardize" may be a reasonably good idea, but oncidiums and phalaenopsis have different cultural needs, so what you are finding to be an acceptable pot/medium/attention level combination for one, might not be great for the other.

I wouldn't say that I'm "limited" to once-per-week watering, though it does seem to be more or less the consensus from what I have read that is an appropriate amount for most orchids in pots.

What has "consensus" got to do with this? Please reread my previous post - just because others find that to be an acceptable approach to growing, that has no bearing on what your approach requires, because your conditions are likely different.

Also, please appreciate that the needs of individual orchids vary all over the map - even if you grew only phalaenopsis or only oncidiums, you'd find that not all of them require the same culture.

With all of that seeming admonition, I will say that you are on the start of a decent approach. You like bark, and have something of a regular watering regimen that seems to be working for your phals. If you decide to do the same with the oncidium, be very observant, so you can make adjustments, as needed.

One last comment: if the plant has been growing in a medium that is that different from bark, its roots will not function well in the bark medium, and the plant will need to grow new roots that will. If the plant is not currently putting out new growths, and you feel a need to transplant it now (in my opinion, that sounds like a good idea, based upon your earlier description), you're going to need to "baby" it a bit, keeping it in a very high humidity environment, so it won't desiccate before it resumes having water uptake capabilities again.

(Please check your PMs)