Is all hope lost?

[meredith717]

Hello All- I am new to this forum and fairly new to orchids. I fell in love with a few phals and seem to do OK with them, then was given this orchid as a gift and it seems to be failing miserably. It is in a south facing window and I water about once a week until water comes out of the bottom. It looks like it is shriveling up but I am afraid to over water because I killed a phal that way. Do I stand a chance at reviving it and any tips? My house does not get much direct sun and it rather dry in the winter.

The first and 3rd picture are in its happier days and the more pathetic looking are its current state picture 2 and 4. I really love this orchid and want to save it!

Thank you!

[Daethen]

Others will probably tell you differently, but I have a hard time with the oncidium alliance and the only way I do good with them at all is to keep them rather wet. I often keep a saucer of water under them with the bottom of their pot sitting in it not above it. I have a couple that were almost that dried looking and they have either started to plump back up or get a bunch of new growths.

[koshki]

Like Jonada, I too have trouble with oncidium orchids, but the ones I do have (Twinkles) are all in Orchiata bark (which they love), and I water them as often as I can remember. They are indoors, under lights, and I should water them more frequently than I do...they would probably love water every third day, but certainly more often than once a week.

Your plant might like different care, but it certainly looks dehydrated.

Oh, and welcome to Orchid Geeks!

[Filb]

I'll join the club and say that Oncidiums are hard for me too (which is what you have).
If you repotted it after you got it, there's a good chance that the media (which looks like bark) wasn't holding water as well as it could.
These guys will drink a ton, and I have problems regulating the amount of water so it doesn't lead to rot.

Does your plant have any viable roots still? Pull it out of the pot gently and check.

I've also had good luck with these guys in semi-hydroponics. But it's best to transfer them into that growing regime if they are just starting to put out roots. Here is a link to a relevant thread: Onc in S/H. Hope that helps!

[Reg22]

It definitely looks like it needs more water. Check out the roots like Filb said, though to make sure it can still drink! Good luck.
I have a couple of twinkles that do well with water every two days in the summer, even in my humid climate. This time of year, they get water every 3 to 4 days. They are in Better Gro brand bark mix in plastic pots.

[otis 226]

I have an Onc alliance plant that has shriveled pulbs very similar to yours, but it also has one or two new growths coming from the surface. I water about once every 3-4 days in summer and at this time of year about weekly. Its in a clay orchid pot with a mix of sphag with a bit of charcoal and perlite.
Tony

[11Orchid126]

I couldn't grow oncidiums either, until I learned that they can take enormous amounts of water. They are very thirsty plants, which is contrary to what we learned about the water needs of most other orchids. Don't be afraid to water the plant thoroughly a couple of times a week during the winter months and three times a week or more during the hot weather.

[meredith717]

Thanks everyone! I looked at the roots and it seems some are still looking pretty green and healthy so I will try the saucer with water and giving lots more to drink.

[vanda_obsession]

I struggle with oncidium's too... I've already killed one... and the other one is on its way out the door too.

[orchids4me]

I too have trouble with oncidiums. Some do better than others with me and some just rebelious and can't make them happy at all no matter what media or how often or less I water so.... I just have a few that seem ok and happy but I try not to get new ones unless gifted or a must have and try again lol
Welcome to the forum