Orchid "Sharry Baby" problem...HELP!

[ladybbugs62]

I bought an oncidium? "Sharry Baby" in December from Norman's Orchids in full flower. Actually most of the flowers had already fallen off when it arrived.

My two cats thought it was grass and chewed the tops of the leaves! The leaves immediately started turning yellow and started to fall off. It has lost most of the leaves since then. It does have some new growth, what seems to be 3 or 4 sets of new leaves at the base.

I moved to a new location, bathroom, east-facing window, high shelf away from cats reach. I am not sure I am doing anything right with this particular orchid.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[jerrymeola]

It sounds like the plant suffered in transport. It can not always be helped.

You have done what you can for it at this point. The new growth is encouraging. I have damaged more Oncidium that I care to admit from excessive heat. The reaction of the plant to heat or cold is about the same.

Usually they recover just fine.

I would suggest being sure that it has good air circulation around the plant. It will grow fine in the conditions you have, but may need a little more light this spring in order to flower. Flowering is usually late summer for Sharry Baby. I have customers in Florida that are able to get two flowerings a year from the plant.

[snowballsarebad]

I hope it recovers!
When I brought my first orchid home (a vanda), my cat chewed it up pretty badly, too. I was sure it was going to die. However...it healed up pretty quickly, and is now among my healthiest orchids (I've had it for just under a year now). Still has the chew marks, but it keeps putting out new leaves and roots.
I did learn my lesson though...all my orchids are in their very own bedroom, which we keep shut when not at home.
I think if your sharry baby is putting out new growths, it should do just fine. I have two oncidiums, and they like a lot of water, especially with their new growths. When I first got them, they were in poor shape, but have been recovering nicely. You'll know if they're not getting enough water if their leaves start coming out accordian-like, or crinkly.
Hope I helped!