Repotting Advice for Oda. George McMahon

[dipasquo]

My Oda. George McMahon just finished flowering and as of the most recent PB growth is getting a bit crowded in the pot, at least in the direction of new growth. (In the attached photo, the newest growth is on the right side, getting pretty crowded up against the side of the pot.) The bark seems reasonably intact on the surface, but I am considering a repotting if only to give the plant room to grow. I've also considered cutting a couple of the back bulbs and potting them separately. Looking at the attached picture, my plan is to separate the three youngest PBs from the two oldest (the green one without leaves and the shriveled yellow one). Best case I get a second plant out of it; worst case I've removed the two oldest PBs and made room in the pot for future growth. Any thoughts?

[digitalgate]

dont remove the old bulb. If you want, take it out put it into a bigger pot. You need a
experience hand to cut the orchids.

[fred]

I would re pot this into the next size pot up and just clean the dead matter and remove the old dried up PSbulb I would not remove any other PSbulbs
your plant looks very healthy

[jerrymeola]

I normally chose the route you suggested to remove the dead pseudobulb and the oldest leafless bulb.

The only difference is that I do not keep the old bulb but discard it.

Oncidium alliance inter-generics grow so fast that they seldom need the old bulb for a food reserve. Usually the just shrivel and turn yellow and die. They are a big source of rot that can be avoided. Mostly it just makes the plant look better by removing it.

It does not take any skill to divide an Oncidium. Just cut right though the roots. You can try pulling on it of first. Sometimes they come off easy.

[evagentry]

with all this expert advice, I say you have your answer, go for it!

[dipasquo]

Thanks, everyone, for your input. I am going to sleep on it and tomorrow morning will go for it.

[dipasquo]

I took this plant out of the pot and found the shriveled yellowed old PB to be in pretty bad shape. I went with plan B and split it - just for kicks I potted it back up in two pots. Here's the results.

[digitalgate]

the old bulb is useless. I think you can throw that away.
I personally dont like oncidium (they are nice but difficult to grow - rot easily) I also kill a
lot of oncidium last year.Vandas are much easier for me. At least for me , they dont rot
easily. hey , how can a vanda rot with no media?

[jerrymeola]

I disagree with digitalgate.

the old back bulb often grows again. I discard them because the commercial value to me is worth less than the growing space. So if you have the time and ambition go for it.

Oncidium are very easy to grow with the right conditions. The most important condition is good air circulation. I have two shade houses 20 feet apart. The one with a wall blocking the wind kills all Oncidium and the other which is like a wind tunnel grows Oncidium like they were weeds.

[digitalgate]

interesting idea.Jerry. May be my oncidium is not growing as well as my other orchids. Air movement.