Help with Oncidium, is it ok?

[la_chickis]

Hello,

Im new with orchids, and I dont know if my Oncidium is ok or if i should do something.Could some one please help me?

I have had it for 4 months and today I changed the moss for the second time, because when i bought it i made the mistake of using a lot fertilizer, so i dont know if thats part of the problem, the roots are white, and dry but they are broken.

Thanks a lot

[vcuchick]

It looks like it's too dry to me. My Onc love to be watered and suck water like there's no tomorrow...that's why I used S/H for my Onc. White Onc roots are good, but what do you mean by "broken?"

It could be that the plant is stressed from being repotted so much...keep it in a south facing window and monitor the watering and ease up on the fertilizer- weakly, weekly...and just let it rest...no repotting or moving. Orchids can sometimes take a few weeks/months to get used to a new growing situation. Next time you over-fertilize, flush the moss with clear water while the plant is still in it's current pot-rather than repotting...this might keep it from "stressing." Onc roots are very fragle so the less movement they have the better...

(i've included pictures of one of my Onc that is very happy- lots of new growth and reblooming to let you know what a healthy plant looks like) I'm no expert grower, but I say lay off the repotting, use a south facing window, water as frequently as the plant needs rather than on a schedule, and then wait- the plant will eventually recover. Onc are hardly little buggers.

[la_chickis]

Thanks a lot vcuchick I ll do as you say and I really hope it recovers, and hopefully one day it can look like yours, is gorgeous!!!.

Respect of the broken roots, you can see the .. I dont know how is called .. but you can see a thin root inside of the one thick... do you know what i mean?

So do you recommend that I fertilize it now? and weekly? I m using a 20/20/20 fertilizer of the brand grow more.

[mehitabel]

You've gotten good advice from vcuchick on how to care for your ailing oncid.

But I want to add this: I've never over-fertilized an orchid, but in my days growing tropicals I did once accidentally overfertilize a jasmine. It took months to die-- collapsing and shriveling, then trying to recover with some new growth, collapsing again, repeat, repeat. So the outcome may be poor no matter what you do.

Fertilize now? Never fertilize an ailing plant. Let it recover and start to grow, then you can fertilize again. As vcuchick said WEAKLY. Fertilize orchids at 1/4 the strength on the label.

[fred]

great advice has been given to you please ask us if you have anymore questions
we are all here to help

[vcuchick]

I agree with Mehitabel- wait to fertilize. Just use water for now. Or you can go to Welcome to First Rays Orchids and order a bottle of Ray's root growth serum. You add about a teaspoon to a gallon of water and it promotes root growth and I've found it very beneficial when repotting my plants- it's helped them "aclimate" faster...(if that makes any sense) as for the root breakage. I say wait it out...see what they do. If they start to turn dark brown and mushy then they're a loss, but they could still be helpful for the plant at this stage...If an Onc is ailing, they let you know pretty quickly with shriveled pseudobulbs, flopping leaves, and yellowing...

On of the big things I've learned with Orchids is patience. I think growing these plants has really helped me over the years since I was never known for my patience. (look sensei, young grasshopper is learning! ha) Sometimes, it's a wait-and-see game with them...do a little this, wait, do a little that, wait...and if your plant likes it, it will eventually show you. Trust me, if you orchid is happy, you'll know it.

I've been only growing for about 3 years, but during my first year, I killed off 3 plants in rapid succession...I think all of us have toss sad dead plants at one time or another...

Here are some good resources to check out:

AOS | Oncidium (oncidium culture sheet)

AOS | Members Only Area (orchid newbie basics)

First Rays' Free Info (free orchid info)

The more you read and learn, the more confident a grower you'll be. Happy growing! Keep us posted!

[kmarch]

How are the roots?

[la_chickis]

Wow, thanks for the great advices, and I ll read the links you gave me.
Can you help me with these last questions?, how can I check the roots? Should I take the plant out of the pot from time to time? And when should I start fertilizing the plant again?

Thank you every one!!!

And Kmarch about the roots, they are white, dry and broken ... you can see a thin root inside of the one thick.

[vcuchick]

La Chickis,

Now that you've posted a handfull of times, you can now post pictures...if possible, it would be very helpful if you could post a picture of these "broken" roots.

As for checking them, other than moving a couple bits of moss to see the upper layers and seeing how healthy they are (white is ususally a good sign) I wouldn't go unpotting the plant for a bit... I personally would wait and let the plant get used to it's growing space and environment before moving it around...Onc roots can be fragile.

In about a year, you'll need to repot again- when you do- get a see-through pot Welcome to First Rays Orchids and this will allow you to see the plant's roots in the future to make sure it's happy and healthy... If a plant is really healthy, it'll grow so many roots that you can pull the whole thing- moss, roots, and plant all in one big mass. Then you DEFINATELY know it's a happy little critter.

Repotting can expose your plant to all sorts of buggies, viruses, and potential damage so if you can repot only 1x/ year or every other year, the better...

If you want to get a clear pot now, transfer it to the new pot and then leave it be! try to be a gentle as you can and tap the pot gently on the table/counter to get the potting medium to settle in around the roots...wear rubber gloves- you can damage roots by accidentally nicking them with a finger nail and we all know our fingers are not the cleanest things...

[kmarch]

IMHO the plant is just really really dehydrated. You've already received some good advice about how to take it from here.

Good Luck!

[orchidlover55]

WOW Vcuchick that is a beautiful Oncidium, I wish mine looked like that. I bought all mine as rescue orchids so I am having to bring them out of ICU.. They look good so far but I am glad you placed your pics on here I needed to see them too