Just got 4 orchids in the mail. Looking for some advice
 

Just got home from work. I ordered 2 orchids and the seller included a suprise of 2 more! How exciting! Needing some advice. 3 of the plants (all 3 are oncidiums) have a foam plug looking thing the roots are grown into and around. Should I remove it? I have 3 to 6 inch pots. Any advice on pot size? I have grown phals before and have done some research with this plants but have never grown them. I am going to soak them in some water until I get some feedback. Thanks!!!

It sounds as if you received plug size plants (essentially bare root, with just the foam plug they were started on).

I usually remove as much of the plug as I can in 10 seconds (= about 75%) without disturbing the roots. Then I pot the plants in 3" or 4" pot, depending upon size that seems right for plant size.

I agree with Kim on that, although I have, at times, gotten such plants in larger pots, only to discover, upon repotting, that the plug had been potted-up intact.

I would like to make a practical, but difficult to follow suggestion: Based upon several of your posts (“just got this, need advice”) it seems that you have fallen into the same trap many of us did as beginner orchid growers, and are buying something you like the looks of, without necessarily knowing it’s needs and how well and easily you can meet them. That can be a frustrating and expensive way to build a collection. (I’m sure any one of us here can attest to that.)

I suggest you take a buying break and learn as much as you can about the cultural requirements of the plants you have, and analyze your growing conditions and care capabilities, to see how well they mesh. (A plant suited for your specific conditions will be a LOT easier to care for than one that’s not.). Then, having “mastered” that, consider expanding with plants needing similar growing parameters.

Read Ray's post again and when you think you understand what he is saying read it again. If you decide to stay in and expand your orchid hobby it will save you a lot of money and stress in the long run. It's the best advice a newby can get.

To defend myself......

I have lamented over purchasing these plants for a while. I have done a good bit of research amd chose these specific planta because i knew they would work for me. I just finished working 13 hours and labor and delivery was still on the brain and i was tired. I got home and saw 4 plants and my mind went blank.

A plant loving friend that knows more than what she let's on talked to me and I got the plants potted and they actually look quite happy today. Receiving bare root plants in the mail is very new to me as well as getting something besides a phal so I was in a little shock they were actually here.

I ask advice in wanting to 100% do the right thing. I also just need some reinforcement for what I know is correct.

I am getting things up to par for these little plants so I should hopefully keep them happy for quite a while

Thanks to everyone offering advice!

PICS!!!

I am having difficulty uploading pictures. for some reason it gives me a reason as to why I can't upload them.

Upload your pics to Postimages — free image hosting / image upload and choose 'hotlink for forums'. Paste the link here and your pics will appear.

If you know the names of the Oncidium, it would also be of great help.

Not all Oncidium should be given the same care.

For example, sometimes people lump Lophiaris with Oncidium, (there's a lot of back and forth about classification with certain orchids), and if the seller is one of those who does this, then it is not helpful to those helping to advise you to just know that they're Oncidiums of some sort. Lophiaris should be treated a little differently than Oncidium.

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