Onc in S/H

[Irene]

Hullo!

I've read that Oncs do well in S/H. I've also read that Twinkle does not.

I have a Twinkle that is doing really well in bark mix. Nice and plump and flowering. I would like to put it in S/H just because I keep them in my living room and think that S/H would look nicer.

What happens to Twinkles in S/H? Is it universal that they don't like it? Has anyone had good results with a Twinkle in S/H?

I won't move it to S/H if it is likely to harm my plant. It seems happy as is. Just thinking....

Thanks!

[kmarch]

The question isn't so much "Does Onc. Twinkle do well in SH?" as much as it is "Am I giving this orchid the conditions it expects?" If the orchid gets the conditions (temp, moisture, etc.) it wants then it will grow and flower. It sounds like from what you've read people are focusing on a specific means of delivering care and missing the more important issue of the plants cultural needs. This is why there's so much conflicting info out there, as you've seen. So then the question is: "Can I give my Onc Twinkle the conditions it expects using SH culture?

[Ray]

Excellent answer, Mr. March.

I am probably the source of the "Oncidium Twinkle dead in semi-hydro" info. But that's UNDER MY CONDITIONS.

Growing in semi-hydroponics affects the watering more than anything else (that is, after all, why I invented it), but is not the "whole picture" of orchid culture.

[Irene]

Ok my conditions:

Outside it's humid. Inside, not as much due to coolish weather and central heat. I keep it around 65 during the day. The plants sit in a large SW window with good light, so they are likely a bit warmer than the rest of the house.

At night, the heat goes down to just below 65 and the curtains are drawn. So I'm thinking it is a several degree temperature drop for the plants, from sunny window to dark and a little less heat running. Haven't actually measured the temp. There is a ceiling fan over head that runs 24/7.

It's been cooler outside, the past few days (40s and 50s), but will be back to the 60s soon. The heat does not always run during the warmer days.

So from what I gather, they like water but they like to dry. They like to be root bound.

Perhaps a S/H container that is tallish? They get the moisture and humidity of the S/H but higher above the reservoir they do not stay wet.

Does that sound reasonable?

[mehitabel]

I would say if your Twinkle is happy in bark, let it stay there at least for now. Oncidia put out new roots on new growth, so given it's winter and growth slows down, a total change of medium might be better delayed until spring. In spring, the light is stronger, and everything has it's growing juices stimulated, and success with nearly any venture is easier to achieve. If you're going to change media, that's the time.

If you want a prettier pot, get it a nice cachepot.

Just my thoughts on this.

[Irene]

mehitabel

I am going to heed your advice. If they are still alive in the spring, I'll rethink it. For now, they are my favorites (Twinkle 'Red Fantasy' and Wilsonara Red Pacific 'deep shadow') and I don't want to do anything to risk their health. (I think I got those names right)

Thanks all!

edit: fixed names

[syndywindy]

I have 2 Twinkles. One is in bark, the other in S/H. The one in S/H is doing phenominal! It is in bloom right now, is a nice healthy plant and growing. I posted a picture of it in an earlier post, but here it is again. I moved it to S/H maybe back in March and have not had any issues with it. Does that mean I'll move the other one? Right now it's happy in bark so it will stay for now. If you'd like to see the entire plant in the S/H, let me know and I will snap a picture.

[koshki]

Synda, I'd love to see your entire plants, if you don't mind. I'm trying to decide this same issue.

Thanks,

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by koshki

Synda, I'd love to see your entire plants, if you don't mind. I'm trying to decide this same issue.

Thanks,

Here they are; Twinkle 'White Showers' is in S/H and Twinkle 'Pinkie' is in bark. Hope this helps you.

[Irene]

I went ahead and transferred my Wilsonara Red Pacific 'deep shadow' to S/H (in bloom btw).

Got my fingers crossed. So far it hasn't croaked

[Ray]

The best time to repot a plant (into semi-hydroponics or otherwise) is when it is forming new roots, and that is typically NOT when it is in- or about to bloom.

When I first started growing orchids over 35 years ago, the orchid caretaker at the "public greenhouses in Piedmont Park" (now the Atlanta Botanical Garden) who gave me my first plant, told me that "A blooming cycle is the plant's expression of its sexuality. How would you like to be dumped out of bed when you were expressing yours?" That has stuck with me all that time.

[Irene]

I was so excited about the results with my B Nodosa hybrid, that I got ahead of myself. Hoping the blooms will be ok. No blast yet.

If nothing else, it could be a valuable lesson for me.

[koshki]

Synda, those are some nice looking plants! Thanks for sharing!

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by Ray

it is in- or about to bloom.

When I first started growing orchids over 35 years ago, the orchid caretaker at the "public greenhouses in Piedmont Park" (now the Atlanta Botanical Garden) who gave me my first plant, told me that "A blooming cycle is the plant's expression of its sexuality. How would you like to be dumped out of bed when you were expressing yours?" That has stuck with me all that time.

A very interesting analogy, I think it may stick with me now, too! I bet Tiger wishes he had been dumped out of bed a few times.

[Olive Cook]

thanks for that Ray!
Not only did it make me laugh, but it's good advice too

[Stitz]

Originally Posted by syndywindy

A very interesting analogy! I bet Tiger wishes he had been dumped out of bed a few times.

poor, poorer Tiger. He's the butt of so many jokes these days.

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by Stitz

poor, poorer Tiger. He's the butt of so many jokes these days.

The question is, how much poorer will he be when this is all over with! Just goes to show, still waters run deep.

[Irene]

Update on my folly:

The buds and flowers are looking good. Buds seem to still be growing and close to opening. Flowers still looking fresh and beautiful.

Some of the leaves are turning yellow

The growth that the flower spikes come from is looking fine. Its the others. Maybe not enough active root growth to adapt to new home?

I might get a camera this weekend, as I am a little concerned about the way the leaves are yellowing. I'll have to spend my Christmas money but I'm sure my friends and family will understand. They have enough stuff anyway

[Irene]

I know you have all been on the edges of your seats wondering how my Wilsonara is

Good news is it looks good. The 2 leaves continued to yellow and dry. They came off yesterday. They were outer leaves on an old pb so I'm thinking the move to S/H sped up their shedding.

The rest of the plant is doing well. The blooms are still in bloom and beautiful. The buds are still in bud (hmm) but looking plump. I might have dodged a bullet with this one.

You will be glad to know that my Twinkle remains unmolested. It's hard to leave her alone, since she's my favorite. You know, it's the ones you love the most that you most want to bother.

I wanted to thank you all for your advice. It did not fall on deaf ears, even though I did the move to S/H against your judgment. I think it's part of being a newbie. Still with the old ideas in your head. It takes a bit to really understand the new info from experienced growers. I promise I'll try to do better

[mdomingz]

I'm just wondering (and i know it's already late) why do people tend to fix something that's not broken......

manuel
panama

[Irene]

Originally Posted by mdomingz

I'm just wondering (and i know it's already late) why do people tend to fix something that's not broken......

manuel
panama

Excellent point

For me, I think it was my wanting to try something new and also not being comfortable with my ability to water appropriately. The S/H makes that part of it much easier for me.

So far, everything is still alive

[maiseymoo]

Trial and error the best experience there is!! Sometimes it is good to go with gut feeling and you know then for next time, sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't Sounds like you have got on ok though!!

[Irene]

Yeah baby!

Ok when I moved my Wilsonara from its pot to S/H, it had 2 spikes. One was in bloom and the other in bud. The blooms have been holding fast but the buds remained buds. I was worried that they had stalled due to my moving them to S/H.

The buds are starting to bloom!

I'm so glad I didn't ruin its special time.


edit: In case anyone was wondering. It is in a tall, narrow plastic vase (a really gaudy thing from Dollar Tree, intended to hold wedding flowers) with a small reservoir. I flush the container and refill the reservoir once a week. Every day I spray a bit of water the top of the LECA, letting it run down into the pot. This fogs up the pot from top to bottom and hopefully gives extra humidity. With it being winter and central heat running, this dries out fairly quickly. It doesn't stay all misty like that all day. I have fertilized weakly, only 2 times. I recently added Superthrive and have used it 2 times, just spraying in addition to the water spray I do daily. Mind you, this is not a lot of water. Just enough to get it all moist and humid. Hmm in a SW window. Small humidifier near by that runs for about 4-5 hours in the evening. Ceiling fan overhead runs from evening until the next morning.

[Irene]

Ok I finally got a camera. My very first time with digital photos so, sorry for the blurry and weird light

Here are pics of my Wilsonara in S/H. I think she's doing well but I have the eyes of a newb. Would you guys take a look and let me know what you think?

I don't like the dark stuff in this pic. It's not soft at all though




New bloom!

[orchidea]

I don't see any pictures yet....., where are they?
Try to attach by using the " attach" button.

[Irene]

Hmmm I see them

I'll try again

edit: Can you see now?

[Schlyne]

I see them just fine. Unfortunately I can't see in close enough detail to see where the rot? is coming from.... is it brown at all bulbs?

[Irene]

Here are some closer pics. It doesn't feel like rot, I don't think. The pbs are firm.

[Filb]

I have a brassidium (that is oncidium alliance right?) that I'd like to try with S/H. This would be my first S/H experiment.
Its poor pseudobulbs have been so shriveled and lately it has started to drop leaves..
It does have a few actively growing roots from its newer pseudobulbs, which makes me think it might be a good time to repot.
Bark + sphag is definitely not working for this guy. I got it as a rescue and hasn't done well with each time I've repotted it and I've never seen it in flower.

I bought some LECA but have had trouble finding an appropriate pot. Its root system is rather insignificant so I'm unsure on the size pot it would need (it's quite top-heavy).
I'll make sure to post some pictures later, but I wanted to get some input.
Thanks!

[Ray]

Put your hands in a circular shape around the largest part of the pseudobulb cluster. That will approximate the pot size to go with, possibly a bit larger.

As the plant does not have any roots to speak of, the best thing you can do is put the pot on a seedling heat mat for a few weeks after potting it up. The warmed root zone will stimulate the formation of roots.

[Filb]

Well here it is.
I melted two holes in the bottom of my plastic glass about an inch from the bottom.
I am a bit concerned though, the new roots aren't an inch above the holes. Some of the older, more questionable roots are near it but I don't know if they'll make it.

[koshki]

When I clicked on this thread, I was surprised to realize it was an older one, and that I had already posted in it.

Well, I'm happy to report that the two Twinkles I put in s/h last March love it! Both of them currently have more than 8 spikes each, and several new growths!

My experience with s/h has not been positive for all plants, but for these, it has been great!

[sunshine]

I have several oncidium/ondoglossium in s/h and they are doing really well. I use the plastic pots with the holes in the bottom and the reservoirs are the clear bowls you find next to the clear saucers in the garden center. Don't forget you need to fertilize s/h regular as there is no nutrients in hydroton or LECA. Here are some of orchids in s/h. You can also use cache pots like the one in the last picture for a reservoir.

[koshki]

Sunshine, I don't have mine in any kind of cache pot. Do you fill them with water to a level higher than the holes? It would definitely help me with watering frequency if that is what you're saying, and if it works.

I always thought the reservoir was the part below the holes in the pot.

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by koshki

Sunshine, I don't have mine in any kind of cache pot. Do you fill them with water to a level higher than the holes? It would definitely help me with watering frequency if that is what you're saying, and if it works.

I always thought the reservoir was the part below the holes in the pot.

Ok. Let me see if I can explain this. The reservoir is a separate pot. Yes, the water does need to be above the holes so the hydroton or LECA can act like a wick and suck the water up to the roots. I use the plastic pots with the holes in the bottom. Doesn't matter if their clear, green or black.I have found by using these type of pots the reservoir can get almost empty. Now if you look at Filb pot. He will have to always keep an eye on the water level in his reservoir. It's ok to make your own pots like that but I just prefer the holes already made.If I'm gonna be gone a week or more I can fill my reservoirs half full and they will last almost 2 weeks depending on the temps and how thirsty they get. I can'y get pictures tonite as it's almost bedtime. 3am comes early. But I won't be back home Saturday. I will try to get you some pics of some of my other plants in s/h.

[Filb]

I was just basing my pot from Ray B.'s suggestions. (I am not a he by the way :P)
I'll have to see how things go, the whole initiation of the process makes me nervous.
Maybe the reservoir pot thing will be a better idea. I'll have to try it next time!

[koshki]

Lightbulb moment!! (Need an emoticon!)

Sunshine, are you using regular orchid pots plus a "catch basin" type of set up? I bought Ray's special pots with the two little drainage holes at about one inch from the bottom. On some pots, I keep them in a plastic bowl, but it's just to catch water from spilling all over the table. It doesn't act as a secondary reservoir because it isn't deep enough (not above the holes).

I really like your idea...I'd like to be able to put more water in reserve for the lushes...which are why they're in s/h to begin with!

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by koshki

Lightbulb moment!! (Need am emoticon!)

Sunshine, are you using regular orchid pots plus a "catch basin" type of set up? I bought Ray's special pots with the two little drainage pots at about one inch from the bottom. On some pots, I keep them in a plastic bowl, but it's just to catch water from spilling all over the table. It doesn't act as a secondary reservior because it isn't deep enough (not above the holes).

I really like your idea...I'd like to be able to put more water in reserve for the lushes...which are why they're in s/h to begin with!

Yes, that is what I am using. The regular plastic pots with the holes in the bottom.You can use anything from a cool whip bowl to a pretty pot or get those clear bowls in the garden center. If you go back and look at the pics I posted you will see the set up I am using. Hope this helps you.

[koshki]

Thank you!

[Filb]

So, I found a worm like thing crawling around in my LECA, it was clear and less than half a centimeter long. There was no way for me to get it (he was pretty far down there).
I was wondering if you guys think it is a problem. I was thinking it was maybe a nematode though I didn't think you could see most nematodes.

Otherwise my repot is doing fantastic with new roots all over!

[zaeem]

Sunshine,Thanks well demonstrated i will try with Onc,.But i have roots all out of the pots??

[elona]

Originally Posted by sunshine

I have several oncidium/ondoglossium in s/h and they are doing really well. I use the plastic pots with the holes in the bottom and the reservoirs are the clear bowls you find next to the clear saucers in the garden center. Don't forget you need to fertilize s/h regular as there is no nutrients in hydroton or LECA. Here are some of orchids in s/h. You can also use cache pots like the one in the last picture for a reservoir.
Attachment 39498

Attachment 39499

Attachment 39500

Thanks so much for that idea. Now I can go on vacation for more than 10 days and not worry about my orchids.