What kind of orchid is this?

[CharliesAngel51]

This pot of babies was given to me last summer. Can anyone tell me what they are so I can check the AOS culture sheet for the proper care? Also do they need to be put in their own little pots?

All advice much appreciated.

Margaret

[Anton]

Hard to say, but my guess would be something like Miltassia / Miltonia / Miltoniopsis / Brassia. Just too hard to tell at present.
I am going by the leaves and pseudo bulbs which resemble plants I have in the above categories.

[kmarch]

I agree with Anton that they look to be something from the Oncidium Alliance. Check out Oncidium Culture sheet on this forum or at AOS | Home

[lmartiny]

I was going to guess Oncidium.

[CharliesAngel51]

Thanks everyone. That was my guess too but I wanted opinions from some of you more experienced Geeks

[CharliesAngel51]

What about when to re pot them. Is it ok to leave them as they are for now or should they be potted individually?

[Brooke]

Was this a compot or is it a pot that has multiplied?

If a compot then you can pot them up in individual plants. If it is one plant that has multiplied, you have enough room to keep as is or to up pot one size.

Brooke

[CharliesAngel51]

I"M sure it isn't one plant that has multiplied. When I first received it there were about 10 to 15 little plants coming up . They were very small. As you can see, some of them are still small. Some have the psb up and showing and some only leaves that have emerged up from the medium. It is planted in a bark mix that appears to be in good condition. I water it about once a week sometimes less depending on how moist it is. I am using a skewer to check.
I'm sure the person who gave it to me started it. How I don't know. She was my husbands nurse. She has lots of orchids. I don't know if she starts them from seed or??
I know so little about orchids. I let the first one she gave me die. It was a full grown orchid in bloom that she got from an orchid nursery. I felt really bad that I couldn't keep it alive. That's why I am here asking lots of questions. I am determined to learn how to grow orchids. I hate to admit defeat to anything. I certainly don't want to let a flower defeat me.LOL

[jerrymeola]

It is a compot and about 12-18 plants by my estimate.

They should be potted separately either in a plug tray or in pots no bigger than 2 inches. After re-potting they should be kept moist and not allowed to totally dry out for more than a day or two. Seedlings need more water than the same plant when mature.

One reason for compots is that they have a larger pot and can stay moist longer. The first 6 months after re-potting compots is critical on watering. I prefer plug trays which have little tiny reservoirs in the bottom. This compot can be left for quite a while and allow the plants to grow. The good part is they usually grow well when left in the compot without the watering issue, but then the bad part they will be hard to separate.

[Brooke]

CONGRATULATIONS - you have successfully grown seedlings from out of the flask. Great job!

Some of your plants are so big already you will probably need more than a 2" pot for the roots. Make sure you have 3 and 4" pots on hand when you decide to repot them.

It appears most of them are ready for individual pots but if you run into really small seedlings, it would be adviseable to put them back into a compot situation - small compots of two or three plants.

You should also give some consideration to a finer potting mix. Use whatever you are comfortable with for watering requirements.

Again, you have done a great job raising these seedlings.

Brooke

[CharliesAngel51]

Thanks Jerry and Brooke
I can't take credit for these seedlings. They were given to me already in this pot about 6 months ago. They have grown a lot since then. I will follow your advice and get some small pots and repot some of them individually. I am afraid if I leave them too long the roots will all be tangled together.

[lmartiny]

You do get credit because "they have grown a lot" since you have had them.
Thats cool. Keep us posted.

[CharliesAngel51]

Thanks for the pat on the back lmartiny. I guess the fact that they are still alive gives me something to take credit for.
With the help of everyone on this forum, I am doing better with my orchids.

Margaret

[11Orchid126]

When you take the plants out of the pot, soak the whole root ball for an hour or more in tepid water and the roots will be easier to separate. Pull them apart very slowly and carefully and be on the lookout for any that have a couple of bulbs on one rhyzome. You might also consider making a solution of Superthrive or Dyna-Gro KLN to soak the little plants in after separating.l

[CharliesAngel51]

Thanks, I planned to soak them so the roots would be easier to separate and also be more pliable.
I have to find some small pots before I can do anything. I have also been planning to get some Superthrive so will also soak them it a solution of that.
I know it takes a long time for orchids to get from this stage to mature enough to bloom. I just hope I can keep them healthy.

Thanks for the advice.

Margaret