Big oncidium - Orchid Board

Helene · #1 03-02-2016, 05:17 AM

Well, potted this in a balconypot last year, but I didnt like the mix.
I would rather have the plant in a round pot- shallow, like the ones Bil make. But for now I am gonna put it back in the balcony pot I think. Its divided in two- kinda happened last year (actually it divided itself in three, gave one part away).

Do they always grow all over the place? The new bulbs seems to be growing on top of old- making it look like a mess😜 I like bulbophyllums, growing in a long chain, or phalaenopsis, growing in a nice pattern. This? She's all over the place…

Is it just the way they are? Or is it because it was in a very very small pot earlier? (Been in the same pot from 2010-2014/2015…)

Would you clean it up a bit? Like divide into smaller pieces, but still in the same pot? Or leave it like it is? (Of course clean out old bulbs and roots)

Thanks😎 I'll have some coffee and start cleaning this lady while I'm thinking what to do😂

Helene · #2 03-02-2016, 05:32 AM

New bulbs are growing sideways in the places there is no more room. I think I will try to clean her up a bit.

What a mess. This is gonna take some time. Lol, I guess I start out gentle, then I will do it more rough- and eventually I figure out she is hardy enough to handle it, and will be more happy in a new pot with more space between all the bulbs. 30 something bulbs that are not yellow. Some dead inbetween the roots.

Helene · #3 03-02-2016, 08:17 AM

Decided to clean it up- was so crowded it could only grow bulbs on top of old. As you can see, new bulbs climbed on old ones- in a different direction.

Dead bulbs and roots got cut away, and it had some natural division. Put it back in the old pot 70cm/27' x 14cm/5,5' for now. Looks a bit "empty" compared to before, but think it will grow out nicely.

Now I think all the new bulbs have place to grow. Leca in bottom, and a mix of bark,perlite,moss in the middle- and leca on top- mostly because I had to bury some bulbs. All the roots can be pretty moist and at the same time not too wet on the bulbs. (Thats the idea, if it works or not- time will tell) 😜😎

Trashed the smallest backbulbs, but keeping these- just to experiment and see if they grow new bulbs. Its a noID, so no reason to have many of the same- but I can learn from them, so rather do that than to throw it in the garbage.

Well, funny thing- sometimes asking for advice and writing it down makes me think about it, and well- problem solved.

Gotta say- orchids are not really that fragile. Atleast not hybrids.

AndreaK · #4 03-02-2016, 09:06 AM

It looks like it will be happier. I divided a large Oncidium last year into several pots. It provided me with blooms in almost every pot. The year before the division it had 2 spikes, after it had 8. I planted my back bulbs into a community pot. Most have grown a new bulb - even one tiny, leafless bulb. Good luck, it looks like it should do well.

silken · #5 03-02-2016, 10:31 AM

Looks good. Some Oncidiums seem to grow upward more than others. But yours may have been partly due to over-crowding and nowhere else to go. If they all bloom, it should be quite a show!

No-Pro-mwa · #6 03-03-2016, 12:33 PM

Some are just a mess to deal with. It looks like you did a fine job to me.

bil · #7 03-03-2016, 03:07 PM

Looks like a nice healthy plant.

estación seca · #8 03-03-2016, 09:45 PM

That would make a great lawn.

nikkik · #9 03-04-2016, 02:30 AM

I am in agreement with everyone else, it looks great! When it blooms you will definitely have to post a picture!!!

Helene · #10 03-31-2016, 03:42 PM

Well, just wanted to say the plant seem to like the repotting.

Four new growth, and the one that had started when repotting has grown a bit.

The old bulbs? Not had the best care, but seems like it is doing something. (Lol, might be roots though, but didnt look like root)

But that's not what made me giggle, but seeing how easy-going this orchid is. Only been like four weeks after repotting. Yeah, this is- I had some really small and old bulbs. I was about to throw them in the trash, decided to experiment and left them under my other orchids

Lo and behold; its doing something

(I blame it on smartphone+tapatalk- makes it way to easy taking lots of pictures&#128540

And- yeah, I am aware its easier with hybrids like these, but I still think its cool, cause I have never tried that before. (Well, have a Zygopetalum that grows from old bulbs, but that was not planned, it was more like me almost killing it and then it got better.)