Unhappy Oncidioda

[mtequine]

I have a BS (?) Oncidioda (Oncda. Space Noez) that I got ________________during a weak moment. Said the plant was BS and just needed repotting. It arrived in a very small, plastic pot and very root bound. I did repot, moved it into a decent sized (5"?) clay pot w/bark mix.

It's in a south window with a shear curtain, sitting on a humidity tray. I've watered about once a week (letting it dry between waterings).

It's definitely not happy....I've trimmed off several leaves that were wrinkled, light brown, and almost like they're trying to rot.

Any idea what I'm doing wrong?? Does this plant need care similar to an Oncidium? I've only been able to find info on Cochliodas saying they like cooler night temps.

(sorry, I seem to be unable to get my photo editor to rotate for me today!)

Thanks!
mtequine

[Gin]

Hi , It looks like the pot is too big for the plant . What happens is there is to much mix around the root ball and it does not get the air it needs . Also did you soak the bark before using it ?
It is best to shade a plant a little after repotting , if the bark was used dry it might not be getting enough water new bark repels water . Root bound is not a bad thing for a lot of O kids . Hope this helps a little . Gin

[orchid-man]

Hi
A few tips with that sad weeeeeeeeee plant
It is a hybrid Oncidium sphacelatum X Cochlioda noezliana,registered in 2000.I am growing both of the parents

1)treat it as the Cochlioda , but with a little more warmth

2) repot into a smaller pot say about a 3 inch.I believe a plastic pot will be better than clay.

3) use a mix that is a lot finer and make sure that the mix has good water retension(even if some sag has to be added,about 10%),The roots of that plant are very fine.

4) If it gets too dry the leaves will get consitenied,just like Miltonia

Im sure that there is more that I can say-- with edit as I remember things

[mtequine]

Orchid-man,

Thanks so much for the comments/suggestions...I will research Cochlioda. Would a finer seedling mix be appropriate? Pardon my ignorance....but what is "sag"? Also, what do you mean by consitenied? Is that what is happening to my leaves?

If the fine seedling mix is ok will repot to a 3" plastic pot today. Hopefully I've not killed this poor plant!

Thanks again

mtequine

Hi
A few tips with that sad weeeeeeeeee plant
It is a hybrid Oncidium sphacelatum X Cochlioda noezliana,registered in 2000.I am growing both of the parents

1)treat it as the Cochlioda , but with a little more warmth

2) repot into a smaller pot say about a 3 inch.I believe a plastic pot will be better than clay.

3) use a mix that is a lot finer and make sure that the mix has good water retension(even if some sag has to be added,about 10%),The roots of that plant are very fine.

4) If it gets too dry the leaves will get consitenied,just like Miltonia

Im sure that there is more that I can say-- with edit as I remember things

[Diane]

I think that the 'sag' was just a typo for "sphag" - sphagnum moss. Most famous sphag comes from New Zealand.

[Piper]

Those pseudobulbs are so badly shriveled, together with the browning leaves, I don't think the plant is getting nearly enough water. You want fat, plump pseudobulbs.

The yellowing leaves indicate a moisture problem (either too much or too little), but the p-bulbs are showing that the plant is sucking dry its own internal resources (which are stored in the pseudobulbs) to stay hydrated. I pot these in pure NZ sphag, and haven't had trouble, as long as I water when the surface moss dries out.

I'd give the plant a good soak for an hour or so, and then don't work off a fixed watering schedule. (Plants can't tell time.) Figure on watering as your media dries out, but adjust that based on the plants signals back to you. In this case, it wants more water.

Good luck!

Julie

[orchid-man]

heres a link that should help

http://www.orchidspecies.com/indexco.htm

[mtequine]

Julie,

Thanks for the input! Figures I would be one that would UNDERwater an orchid. Guess I've read too much about underwatering.

I have some NZ Sphag on order that should be here early this week....will repot in a smaller pot w/that. Have given it an hour long soak--do you know if the shriveled pseudobulbs will fill back out, or will only the newly grown ones look better?

Thanks!

Mtequine

Those pseudobulbs are so badly shriveled, together with the browning leaves, I don't think the plant is getting nearly enough water. You want fat, plump pseudobulbs.

The yellowing leaves indicate a moisture problem (either too much or too little), but the p-bulbs are showing that the plant is sucking dry its own internal resources (which are stored in the pseudobulbs) to stay hydrated. I pot these in pure NZ sphag, and haven't had trouble, as long as I water when the surface moss dries out.

I'd give the plant a good soak for an hour or so, and then don't work off a fixed watering schedule. (Plants can't tell time.) Figure on watering as your media dries out, but adjust that based on the plants signals back to you. In this case, it wants more water.

Good luck!

Julie

[Piper]

Hi Montana!

P-bulbs do fill back out, but remember that they're a long-term plant storage device. It does take time for them to recover. Vestiges of old age wrinkles are a reminder that you forgot to love them for a spell! (Ie, orchids resort to guilt, too!)

Then there are pleated leaves (folds in developing leaves that are also a sign of underwatering), which don't ever straighten out. They are there as a record for the ages!

Don't worry about watering mistakes. We all make them. All the time. We have to try a regime and then gauge how the orchid responds. Those more adept at reading the signs adapt more quickly. That's our learning curve.

The greatest lessons for beginners are the orchid's signals to us, and how to read them! There is no formula. Learn the culture for a specific plant or group of plants, master it, and then branch out. But be prepared that each new encounter may well challenge you!

Julie

[mtequine]

Well...this poor plant has had a tough go with me during the last year! But, I chalk it up to learning-and the oncids that have come to live here after it are thankful! They are happily squashed into small pots and doing exceptionally well.

I decided to try it in S/H last summer and it's doing better. I just couldn't, due to some ridiculous impairment I have or something, seem to get it into a small enough pot with regular medium-

The S/H pot is probably too large for it too, but it's growing new roots and leaves and the p-bulbs are full and happy. Whew.