Charlesworthii Mishima care

[ritznk]

Last month my wife and I wandered into an orchid show and were knocked out. We came home with Mishima, and I am afraid I am killing it.
I am not much of a plant guy. We keep it in a 4" pot on the fireplace mantle. I have been watering it sparingly (once a week) and also give it a drop or two of Schultz 10-15-10 plant food at that time. I bought that brand of fertilizer at the hardware store because it was the one that mentioned orchids on the label. My wife bought a grow light for the plant that we keep it lit for about 12 hours every day (we live in Portland OR).
The buds that were on the plant have bloomed and are now wilting. The green pod-looking things at the base of the stems are wrinkling and I am consumed with guilt.
I love these plants andwant to have more of them around the house, but I don't want to kill orchids by the dozen as I learn how to take care of them.
Can anyone help?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I think we need a picture. Don't know what you mean by a green pod-looking things at the base. Are the leaves the same as when you bought it? Search on Bamboo skewer and look at the post I made describing a method of watering time determination. Cynthia

[jerrymeola]

Most of what you had seen can be a normal growth habit for Oncidium type orchids. For those who have never seen one they are small about 1 inch flowers in clusters on taller spikes. They also do not like excessive heat (over 85 for long periods), which should not be a problem in Portland but is terror for me in SW Florida.

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/gallery/d...hp?imageid=301

I am sorry the forum is not inserting the photos as it used to (hopefully temorarily) and you have to click on the link to see the photo.

The pods you mention are called pseudo-bulbs (pbulbs) and a certain amount of shriveling is normal. It also can occur from under watering but once a week indoors is probably fine. Don't rush to increase water.

Oncidium like good air circulation (as do most orchids). It helps with drying the medium between waterings and reduces heat buildup.

They will be going into a rest period now. You may want to reduce the grow-lite from the 12 hours you are currently doing. That will be a length when actively growing in the spring when it needs the light to flower.

The amount of water and the length of light is something you will learn in time.

For now if the leaves are not turning brown (some will but not most) to where the plant looks sickly you are OK. You should begin to see new growth starting at the base of the plant. Oncidium grow rapidly and discard old growth as it is no longer necessary. When you see new growth you will know the plant is doing well. A sick plant will have the pbulbs become soft and the color will change to semi-transparent. That is the sign of over-watering Oncidium and trouble.

[atcrosby]

That's a georgious plant. Curious if this oncidium is of similar parentage. I found this one last month at the local grocery store. I know it's not registered but it's a pretty plant nonetheless.

Could these be cousins ?