Need help please!!

[eaglssong]

Hello everybody,

I think this is the correct forum to post about my Trichcentrum cebolleta? I'm so new that I had to google the orchid to get more info, and that's where I read that it is actually an Oncidium. Is this correct?

Now, my real problem is brown tips on the leaves. This is a baby that I just planted after purchasing it in a plastic tube in Costa Rica. It was doing fine. I'm not sure if this problem is due to overwatering, or possible sunburn. This little one just sops up water, but there was a couple of days last week when our temps were cooler, and the water just sat in the dish. And then, I thought maybe it needed a bit more light than it was getting, so placed it in an east window for a couple of hours in the morning. I think it was just too hot there though, so moved it back, away from the window.

Thanks for any help you can give me. Should I trim off those brown areas? Other than that, the plant looks healthy (I think).

[ischel1]

You are correct it is in the oncid alliance. Your oncid really will do well in bright light, no sun. Yes you can trim the ends with a sterile instrument. After trimming treat the ends with cinnamon to seal the wound. Happy growing.

[eaglssong]

Thanks ischel,

When you say treat ends with cinnamon, is that just the regular powdery stuff in my spice rack?

Anne

[Ron-NY]

anne yes, from your spice cabinet. I don't do that I just trim and leave. It may be due to a low humidity level causing it. Your plant is very young and will take years to get to blooming size but it is a nice souvenir, from your trip. Slowly increase the light level on it over a few weeks. An east facing window with morning sun should be fine for it. Once mature it needs 50% filtered sunlight and will need a rest from water once a growth is matured. At this point let it approach dryness before watering but don't let it go totally dry.

You missed a letter. It is spelled Trichocentrum A google search with this spelling should get you quite a bit of info

[eaglssong]

Thanks Ron, from another Noo Yawka (yeah, I'm one of those flatlanders.. LOL). You're right. I left out a letter, but that's what happens when one is typing and can barely see what's on the label.

I bought this plant for exactly the reason you stated. It's a wonderful souvenir from my trip, along with the photos I took (not that they came out that great).

I'll try your advice, although I think the east window I had placed it in was a little too warm for the poor little thing. It really seems happier sitting on my nightstand. I'll try to find a way to up the humidity for it also, in the hopes that that could be the problem. Shouldn't be too much longer before the humidity levels here in South Florida do the job for me.

Anne

[eaglssong]

Okay.. brown areas have been trimmed, and I'm experimenting (poor little Frankenstein plant ). I've moved it back to that east facing window, but have put it behind a sheer drape, so that it will get bright light, but filtered.

Keep your collective fingers crossed please.

Anne

[Ron-NY]

filtered sun is fine.