New Orchid...not too sure what to do with it! Odontoglossum/Oncidium

[kerri.rock]

Hi all!

So, I have just received this gorgeous orchid as a gift, and only have one problem. I have absolutely no clue as to what to do with it!!! I've only ever had phals, and only for a short time period! I've only been growing for a few months. I just wanted to know some general care tips and potting suggestions...I've read that they don't do well in sphag (but what does) so I purchased some orchid bark that said it was for oncidium variety along with others (endorsed by the AOS). Any and all help appreciated!!! Thank you!!

[kerri.rock]

Just to give you guys a little more information as to the conditions this orchid is in:

It is in an east facing window on a humidity tray, much like my Phals, not sure if this cooler loving orchid should be in a brighter window or not. (Read somewhere they like more light than Phals do!)

Right now I am not sure of the condition of the roots underneath the potting media, all I know is what I can see. I do not want to disturb this beauty until I know what I'm doing with it.

The potting media appears to be soil, which I know is wrong, but in my case right now, I'm not sure what's right!!

So, after hearing my rants...hopefully someone out there has some information to help me along the way!! Thank you in advance!

[Kmac]

Beautiful orchid, I love it! I grow my oncids in a bark mixture, water well and then let almost/just dry out and then water again. Some of mine are in the special oncidium bark mix, but some of the bigger ones are just in regular bark mix. Light wise they want fairly bright indirect light, certainly more than phals. I grow mine indoors in a south window that gets bright light but no direct sun.
I would get it out of the soil-type mixture fast, if it were mine...sadly, I kill things in soil.

Good luck with it...do you know its name, by chance?

[Katherine]

I would not do anything until the plant stops flowering, which could be months. If it was desperate to be re- potted it would be telling you with dropping flowers, etc. Just make sure there is good air circulation around those roots. Some people re-pot as soon as they get the plant in the house. But you have to remember that the orchid has gone from the grower, to the supplier, to the store, and on to you. I feel that they need to have time to adjust to your climate. I give them at least 2 weeks if not in bloom before I re-pot, and if they are happily blooming, I wait until they are finished.

[kerri.rock]

There was no name, all of the orchids I've got have no name. I heard these don't do well being re-potted in bloom so maybe I'll wait. I've got it in Assn east facing window right now...the only other option is west...which is better? There's also another bloom stalk not pictured with a lot of buds and taller than that one!
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---------- Post added at 12:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:08 PM ----------

Also there are black spots on the leaves...are these okay?
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[Katherine]

I didn't see the black spots on the leaves, could you post a picture?

[kerri.rock]

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[Ron-NY]

Looks like it may have Miltonia, Odontoglossum and Oncidium in it's background. Medium light, allow to almost dry before re watering. I would grow it intermediate.

It may be one of the Wildcat clones that used be Colmanara but that name has changed too. I think they are now Odontocidium.
EDIT: I just checked, it is ex Colmanara and ex Odontocidium and they are now Oncostele. It appears that Lemboglossum uroskinneri has been moved and is now Rhynchostele uroskinneri. This has caused the name changes. If it is a Wildcat, 3/4 of it's ancestry is Oncidium.

Orchidwiz says: http://www.orchidwiz.com/Oncostele%20Wildcat.html

[kerri.rock]

(those are the leaves with the black spots)

So, what does growing intermediate mean? And would an east facing window be alright???

Also, I've also newly acquired this beauty, same store, no tag!!

[kerri.rock]

And thank you Ron for the ID!! Very much appreciated!! I hate not knowing what the names of my plants are.