Onc. Fonial Fire 'Clown'

[moniluhum]

Just received the above plant. It is in what looks like coconuts husks which is not supporting the plant and appears as thought the owner only threw the plant into the pot. Will repot but not sure what kind of medium to use. It will be in a controlled climate with artificial light and temperatures in the 80"s. Can anyone give me some ideas?

[coeruleo]

my experience with the coconut chips is that they can easily become too waterlogged and kill off the roots. they are alright in a mixture with bark and other items, but they do break down quickly to a point where they act as a sponge. if you leave them sitting in a puddle of water they will slowly absorb the water and become soggy. they may be more appropriate for phraggs or ochids that like to stay more wet. otherwise be careful not to over water. this is probably a 'plug' orchid, which means it was grown in an almost 'semi-hydro' environment as a seedling, and once flowering sized sold off en mass. many of these have a hard time adjusting to normal bark mixes, and will do ok in the coco chips if you very carefully monitor them. once a new growth starts with fresh new actively growing roots, i would repot into a bark mix with a little moss for moisture retention.

[silverstoli]

I bet I know where you got it. I received a plant in the same condition. I will not buy from him again.

[coeruleo]

btw, the name may actually be "finial fire"

[78Terp]

I agree that the name is Finial Fire. I have one I think is named onc Finial Fire 'Halloween'. But the list is at home so I can't be 100% sure.

---------- Post Merged at 01:10 PM ----------

Now that I Googled it, I am wrong. I have a Finial Fire and it is a Wilsonaria.

[coeruleo]

i think it is the same plant, oncidium relatives have been changing their names based upon redefining some of the parent plants into or out of oncidium/miltonia/etc. very annoying really. especially for the multi-generic plant hybrids.

[moniluhum]

Yes, I more than likely misspelled the name. Going back to the proper medium to use. I am still confused about what kind to use. I am wondering if maybe a smaller sized material that would retain moisture and give also give it some support. Bad idea?

[coeruleo]

maybe a smallish to medium mix. not too fine though, or the roots will choke. if you use a medium bark, you can mix in some moss, not a huge amount, but enough to hold a bit of moisture without clogging the mix. you should perhaps place a piece or two near the roots to begin with. you want airflow to the roots. i would personally make a homemade mix that uses standard medium bark mix and some clay pellets (for semi-hydro normally) and treefern fiber, and just a little moss. my oncidiums seem to like that. i also put a thin padding of moss on the top of the mix to hold in moisture. i water wednesdays and sundays.

[moniluhum]

Have medium Orchiata, New Zealand Moss and S/H pellets. Not sure what treefern fiber is. Is there something you think that might be able to replicate this fiber. Have coconut fiber. Clueless so that may be a ridiculous substitute. Looking forward to following your advise. How else do you care for your Oncs. Lighting? Temperature?

[coeruleo]

tree fern fiber is the shredded roots of certain treeferns that are used as medium, they form a trunk-like stem that is really lots of little brittle roots. most orchid specialty shops on line have some version of treefern products, from slabs to pots, even large round balls that are cut or carved out of the treefern trunk. the little bits of it that are produced from cutting it up can form larger or smaller chunks, or just plain bits of the fiber loose. it is great for smaller rooted orchids, but remains somewhat open to allow airflow. i like to use it in my bark mixes, but it is not the only way to help your plant. the medium bar you have can be mixed with smaller bark if you have some, and the pellets and bits of moss. my oncidiums are outside facing south with a shady overhang, or int he south facing window. they get very bright light, but no direct sun. they get whatever natural air temperature we have here, i hardly ever use heat or ac. i do avoid any plants that need a lot of heat, as i don't have a greenhouse, so i limit myself to plants that like the weather here.