Oncidium Gower Ramsey

[cindiras]

Just befor Thanksgiving break, I was given a very poor Gower Ramsey to see if I could resusitate it. Having been kept in an office environment, it has been going downhill slowly. The poor thing is now down to one old squishy pbulb and a 2 inch high growth of three leaves and two little roots about an inch long. any suggestions for encouraging new root growth would be appreciated. I have it bare root in a plastic cup about a foot back from a south window, and once a day soak the poor thing in water for 10 to 15 minutes. Would a light wrap of sphagnum moss be beneficial or a hinderance?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Not sure about the sphagnum, but you could try some root hormone. If it were mine, I would try both, but keep the sphag loose around the roots.

Cheers,
BD

[cindiras]

Thanks BD! I'll post a photo of this tomorrow, and mix up some root hormone to spray on the exposed roots, see if that helps boost their growth.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Thanks BD! I'll post a photo of this tomorrow, and mix up some root hormone to spray on the exposed roots, see if that helps boost their growth.

I don't know if it matters or not, but we always use a dry (white powder) root hormone. I just get the roots damp and sprinkle it on them coating them completely. I have rooted many different plants this way. I *think* it is called Schultz Rootone, but the label is worn off from being in the high humidity greenhouse. But that name seems familiar.

Best of luck!

Cheers,
BD

[stacey8989]

The Schultz white powder one I have is called Take Root. Red/Yellow label with a red cap. I purchased it a couple months ago so the packaging should be the same. Hope that helps.

[cindiras]

Here are some photos of what is left of this poor onc. The pink circle is of rotten roots on the old pbulb, the green circle is around the three new little roots. It doesn't look too promising, but the leaves ARE still mostly green. I have Ortho's Roottone powder that I was going to mix with a bit of water to hydrate the roots and give them an enzyme boost at the same time.

[cherublace]

yikes!