[mreckner]

I purchased my Sweet Sugar Oncidium a couple of weeks ago from a reputable seller, only to find it full of aphids, I've tried Brookn's recipe, but there are still aphids on it. Is it ok to soak the pot, roots, medium, and all in order to kill them off?

Also, the roots aren't green. At all. Is this normal? The psuedobulbs look healthy, but there doesn't appear to be much of a root system, and the roots are all whitish. The leaves, blooms, etc. look healthy, but the roots are making me nervous.

The woman I bought this plant from told me to soak it once every two weeks, for several hours, in order to water it, unfortunately, as it is potted in some sort of lava rock, it doesn't hold moisture well. I'm wondering if it is under watered. How do you other oncidium owners water your plants?

Here are some pictures of the plant, and its root ball. Please help. I want it to live!