Oncidium sphacelatum

[IGotTheFever]

Hi, I have a question that I know some one here can help me with. I have an Oncidium sphacelatum that I recently purchased on-line. It has very good growth, BUT, it has brown tips (I have cut these off), kinked leaves and looks like it was sprinkled with baby powder that won't rub off. I can't find anything on google that explains these problems except that it was given to much potash. If any one can help please do.
Thank you,
Michael

[jerrymeola]

You have an easy to grow orchid that has not been raised in the best of conditions, but should recover well.

Kinked leaves are the result of lack of humidity when growing or overly crowded conditions, neither is life threatening.

The white powder is probably a water soluble fungicide or a pest control. While they are called water soluble they only half dissolve and leave a residue. It does not look very good but probably harmless.

Brown tips are from overheating the plant, a little short on watering or just age. Tips on Oncidium brown.

Here is a picture of one that took first place at the Redlands Florida show this year. It was about 9 feet across.

[chapala]

Wow! What a spectacular specimen show winner. Thanks for the photo!
Reta

[Daniel S. Barrett]

The residue can be removed by rubbing the leaves once or twice with a fresh lemon slice. it cleans them and makes them look brand new! works great!

[IGotTheFever]

Hey guy's, thank you for the reasons and the tips. I can now see that the tips got brown after I brought the plant in from the chilly weather we have had here in South Florida. I have watered this plant and put it on a humidity dish.

The lemon sounds like a great idea. I will try it.

That is some plant Jerry, I hope mine will get that big some day.

I have 23 Sharry Baby plugs that I recieved by mail that I will also raise the humidity on since there are several plants with kinked leaves.

Thank you all again,
Michael

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Well, the only time I have had accordian leaves is when the plant dried out too much. I'll assume that the humidity in my greenhoouse is pretty consistantly moderate, but the watering for the Miltonias, a relative of Oncidium, wasn't up to their likes. Most of the Oncidium complex do not like to dry out completely, especially while the new growth is unfolding.

I have also heard that brown tips can happen from to much mineral in the water, mineral or fertilizer build up, or insufficient calcium (or was it magnesium).

[jerrymeola]

igot the fever

good luck with the Sharry baby plugs. I bought a tray of 70 and no one watered them the week I was out of town, they my watering then failed to dry for days and damping off killed most.

Plugs have little reserve to handle errors. They dry out too fast and when watered they do not have enough roots to use all the water. Good air circulation (actually excess circulation) is best for young plants and especially Oncidium.