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I got this orchid May 31st and it’s still alive and healthy as far as… | The Orchid Oasis | Communauté Planta

Maggie

I got this orchid May 31st and it’s still alive and healthy as far as I can tell. This app doesn’t have it in the system- so I suggested it be added. I wanted to ask if any of you have advice or tips regarding watering, placement, fertilizing etc. This is an Oncostele Catatante x Oncidium Barossa Delight, or Wilsonara Eye Candy ‘Pinkie’. Correct me if I’m wrong lol. The photos go from when I got it pre bloom, bloomed and to now- post blooms. The stalk post bloom is really long but since the base is still green I’ve just left it alone. I should also mention I’ve not repotted either.

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4 commentaires

  1. MeasomerPi

    That’s a beauty. I would try oncidium culture on it and see how it responds. Since it may be an intergeneric, you may need to do some fine tuning. Light - they want bright, indirect light (just like every other houseplant, right?). The thickness (not width) of the leaves will give you a good idea as to how much light they want. The thicker the leaves, the more light they can take. Most will appreciate some early morning sun, but be careful to provide some shade during the hotter parts of the day. I have the best luck in an east window slightly shaded by an old crepe myrtle. It gives beautiful dappled light and consistent blooming. Water - I find most Oncidiums almost as thirsty as phalaenopsis. Which seems surprising given the relatively big pseudobulbs. Luckily, the plants will tell you what it wants. If you see wrinkled pseudobulbs, it’s time to break out the watering can. Mild wrinkling will smooth out as the plant takes up water and replenishes its stores. More significant wrinkling will smooth but always remain in some capacity. Keeping a plant too dry for long periods will result in accordion pleating of new leaves (so all my friends and family know I’m miserly with water). But that doesn’t mean you should keep them waterlogged. They are orchids after all, and have evolved to tolerate some dryness. If it helps, I view most of my orchids as succulents (which probably explains the abundance of accordion leaves in my collection). The type of media dictates how I water. I grow most of my Oncidiums in straight bark so they dry out reasonably fast in my growing conditions. When the plant is ready for some water, I soak the pot for 10-15 minutes. For plants in sphagnum, I top water only because soaking causes the sphagnum to take in too much water. Wait until the media dries out before watering again. Fertilizer - While in active growth (putting on new leaves, roots or inflorescence), I use fertilizer at 1/8 to 1/4 strength each time I water. Once a month flush with pure water to reduce salt buildup (this is especially important when using synthetic fertilizer or have hard water). There is a lot of discussion about using bloom boosters or other orchid specific formulas, like MSU, but for most hobbyists (those of us not competing in shows) I think the important thing is to just use fertilizer correctly. Roots can burn quickly and regrowing them takes forever. Media - Oncidiums have fine roots that like to stay a tad wetter than your typical orchid so a fine bark generally works well. I have used larger orchid bark with sphagnum in a pinch but avoid it if I can. I like to repot newly acquired plants as soon as the blooms dropped because the media is probably at the end of its useful lifespan. Especially if the plant is in sphagnum. I just don’t have luck growing orchids in sphagnum long term. Luckily, the root systems aren’t as sensitive as cattleyas so you can repots almost anytime if you have too. But, I try to do it in the spring right before new roots for or just as they are developing. This ensures a new crop of healthy roots to support the next two or three years in that pot. Those are the high points. If you pay attention to your plant, it will show you what it wants.

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    • Maggie

      What do you mean in the part about fertilizer- that the roots can burn quickly? Is that if you use the wrong amount of fertilizer to water ratio?

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    • Jen

      Or fertilizing too frequently, yes.

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    • MeasomerPi

      Yes, you don’t want to use too much, o, as Jen added, too often. I would not exceed the amount recommended in the product instructions.

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