Oncidium may need help.

[Keith B.]

hello and thank you for looking. Recently I got my first orchid(oncidium -dancing lady). I thought it had been doing well but recently some of the leaves at the bottom have been turning an unsightly yellow and dry. this is my first orchid and I'm concerned for it's health. to provide some backstory - when I first got the orchid I potted it with ordinary potting soil - about three weeks later I learned that it should be planted in a good orchid medium and I immediately did so. I've been feeding twice weekly with Schultz granulated orchid food. Also I'm not sure if it's getting enough light indoors. any advice would be a great help.
-keith-

[Keith B.]

tried to add pics. but you need 15 posts to do so.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Oncidiums will generally do OK on lower light than the high light plants like Cattleyas. The lower leaves on an Oncidium often will have a shorter life than the two main leaves at the top of each bulb, so, it is not time to worry yet. Feeding it twice a week is a little much. At the most you should alternate with fresh water to wash out the previous fertilizer to be sure residues don't build up. Most orchids are slow growers and have a low need for fertilizer. If the fertilizer salts build up in the pot, brown leaf tips or loss of leaves could result. The leaf loss could also just be a reaction to repotting, as there is usually a little set-back from repotting, but don't worry about it unless it becomes a major leaf loss. Cynthia

[Keith B.]

thank you for the advice.
-keith-