Calling oncidium expert

[bdelfiero]

This is my third time attempting to repot an oncidium, as I wasn't really successful for my first and second attempt. Before trying my third attempt I would like to ask your help about the proper way of repoting an oncidium.

I am planning to place it in clay pot with fine grade charcoal and put some moss on top for extra moisture. This is the way how I repot my oncidium.

1. Remove from the previous pot and take out the remaining old medium.
2. Wash the roots and soak it in rooting hormone.
3. Repot with fine charcoal and moss on top.

Here's my questions:
1. Should I water the newly repoted plant thoroughly?
2. Since I am living in a tropical country and I am growing outside, How long should I wait before watering again the newly repoted plant? Should I wait until the medium is completely dry?
3. Should i put it in a shady location or morning sun is ok?

I hope you could share your repoting experience because I don't want to give up growing oncidium.

[NewGrower]

I do know oncidiums like to stay moist, I never let mine dry out fully between waterings (and its the orchid I have kept the happiest out of all of mine)
Make sure the moss isnt packed to tightly in (I learned THAT the hard way!)

Good luck

[-k-]

Not too sure about using only charcoal as a growing medium for Oncs. as I have never used the medium for them so I cannot say how well it may/may not work for your plant.
However I do clean the roots thoroughly and use rooting harmone on them as well prior to repot. I would look at the aspects of what may or may not have gone right the first 2 times and maybe explore a different approach to better achieve success! 3rd times a charm right!! :
I think watering the medium thoroughly is always a good idea after a repot, but as with that and watering schedules they really depend on your conditions. Monitoring the plant closely for the first few weeks to help determine watering habits mght be your best approach.

[bdelfiero]

Originally Posted by -K-

Not too sure about using only charcoal as a growing medium for Oncs. as I have never used the medium for them so I cannot say how well it may/may not work for your plant.
However I do clean the roots thoroughly and use rooting harmone on them as well prior to repot. I would look at the aspects of what may or may not have gone right the first 2 times and maybe explore a different approach to better achieve success! 3rd times a charm right!! :
I think watering the medium thoroughly is always a good idea after a repot, but as with that and watering schedules they really depend on your conditions. Monitoring the plant closely for the first few weeks to help determine watering habits mght be your best approach.

What medium are you using for your oncidium?

[bdelfiero]

Originally Posted by NewGrower

I do know oncidiums like to stay moist, I never let mine dry out fully between waterings (and its the orchid I have kept the happiest out of all of mine)
Make sure the moss isnt packed to tightly in (I learned THAT the hard way!)

Good luck

Are you using straight sphag? how many times you water?

[-k-]

I mainly use a medium and fine bark mix with perlite for my oncs, for my conditions it seems to provide the best moisture retention without over/under doing it. I'll water them up to 2 times a week during the summer months when the temps are quite high and once a week in the winter.. on avg. I still keep skewers in them to take the guess work out of it during the seasonal transitions; I am actually thinking of transitioning all of them to hydroton, makes life so much easier for me and the oncs seem to do very well.

[bdelfiero]

Originally Posted by -K-

I mainly use a medium and fine bark mix with perlite for my oncs, for my conditions it seems to provide the best moisture retention without over/under doing it. I'll water them up to 2 times a week during the summer months when the temps are quite high and once a week in the winter.. on avg. I still keep skewers in them to take the guess work out of it during the seasonal transitions; I am actually thinking of transitioning all of them to hydroton, makes life so much easier for me and the oncs seem to do very well.

Thank you. Your experience is insightful to me. Since I have no Hydroton available at the moment, I will try the fine grade charcoal with moss on top. But, if this won't work for the third time, I will try the hydroton stuff for the fourth time . I am very persistent to learn how to grow oncs and it is a challenge to me that i can't grow them compare to other genera i am having some success.

[Onleme]

Morning sun with 50% shade and bright light is what they need.
Small Pine Bark and Coco chips works really well for us. The Coco chips will soak up water but are not soggy and the roots attach to them drawing water as they need it. The Pine Bark ships allow for the roots to breathe. I pulled one of my plants out of the pot to see how they were going the other day and all the roots were white and healthy. The water needs to drain off instantly when you water leaving the medium damp and not soggy. The roots need to breathe and soggy medium will result in root rot and eventually plant death. I don't have a comment on the Charcoal as I don't use it. Also Onc need good air movement and high humidity to be at their best

[NewGrower]

K you mentioned you clean your roots, what do you mean by that?

[-k-]

Originally Posted by NewGrower

K you mentioned you clean your roots, what do you mean by that?

I spray the roots down with the sink sprayer and clean off all the old media prior to repot.

[dounoharm]

i use small bark chips perlite, and some charcoal to pot onc in... i never tried straight charcoal....i would think it would dry out too much, but i dont know the climate where you are at, so let us all know how it works.....gl

[iluvorchids]

I'm having problems with my burr. nelly isler.
I seem to have overwatered it and cost me/it quite alot of roots. I decided to buy some hydroton (for the first time) to repot it in and then I placed it in my terrarium. Humidity is presently 50%. The room has an east facing window.

Is there hope for this one