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New orchid--help me not kill it, please :)

15 years ago

Hi all, my first Phal is still alive and blooming some months after its purchase, and so, inspired by that success (thanks Whitecat!) I've purchased another. I found this lovely guy for $2.00 today:
{{gwi:155302}}From Okinwa International Orchid Show

Isn't it pretty? Here is a closeup of the pot:
{{gwi:155304}}From Okinwa International Orchid Show

{{gwi:155306}}From Okinwa International Orchid Show

What is it? How should I treat this one? The orchid thanks you for your help!

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread on my Phal, which has specifics of my location/sunlight situation

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Comments (10)

aesir22
15 years ago
I am definitely not a pro, so don't take this as a definite answer, but could it be an Oncidium? From what I read they like humidity and bright but not direct sun and intermediate temperature. Have you checked the potting medium to ensure it has not broken down?
vtandrea
15 years ago
Sure looks like an oncidium to me too! Where on earth do you get such a specimen for just two bucks???
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Don't feel bad about the pitchers. In fact you may have been better off just leaving them out on your porch. Keep in mind, that many of the native temperate pitchers (Sarracenia) are adapted to enduring the natural freeze and thaw cycles -- including snow and ice -- that often occur during the course of a winter. If these pitchers are ones that are native to your area or have been grown outdoors by people in your region, then just leave them out on your porch. What is more likely to kill the plants is to take them from the cold sun porch and bring them into a warm room. This can cause them to break dormancy too early. (And going from cold to really warm back to cold isn't good for them either.) In the wild, it is quite common for the last season's pitchers to die over the winter. In fact, many folks who over winter their sarrs in a fridge advocate cutting off ALL the pitchers before putting them in the fridge. New growth comes from the rhizome in the spring. (Just like irises and other perennials.) Considering where you live, your vft might be better off staying on you sunporch as well.
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venividi
15 years ago
I haven't tried oncidiums ("dancing ladies") yet, but I don't immediately repot new orchids unless their leaves look dry or shrivelled. Your plant looks great, so I wouldn't check the roots until it has stopped flowering, unless it demonstrates dehydration or failure-to-thrive problems.

I used to routinely repot all my new plants, but now I give them a chance to adjust to my conditions before causing them any additional stress. I also like to enjoy the flowers at their best. There is always the risk of breaking off the spike accidentally.

I hope an oncidium expert will chime in here!
tommyr_gw Zone 6
15 years ago
I vote Oncidium as well. No doubt in my mind. Nice score!
hort_lvr_4life
15 years ago
Yes, this is an Oncidium and it looks *fantastic*!!! Where did you get this for $2.00? That's the best deal I have ever heard of! I included a great link for the care of your new find.

Here is a link that might be useful: AOS Oncidium Care
whitecat8
15 years ago
I grow only one Onc, but your plant looks like one. Many Oncs need more light than Phals.

Here's another site for culture: http://www.carterandholmes.com/oncindodoncare.html. As with about everything in life, experts disagree. Not every old orchid hand says to repot Oncs infrequently or to avoid disturbing the roots... but some do. :)

You really sniff out those bargains. And congrats on the Phal doing well.

Whitecat8

Here is a link that might be useful: Oncidium culture (scroll down for reply)
hort_lvr_4life
15 years ago
What do you do with your own Oncidium whitecat8? I just got my first so I am curious too.
raenjapan
Original Author
15 years ago
Sorry I'm just now getting back to this thread, I forgot about it for a few days.

We live on Okinawa right now, and everything is more expensive except orchids and sushi :) There were a couple dozen of these plants for $2.00 each stuck in the corner of a hardware store the other day.

Right now, I've got it in an area where it gets bright but indirect light all day. It's very, very humid here all year, so no problems there. Right now the nights are getting coolish, but in the summer we might have problems because it isn't going to get below 80 at night. We'll see what happens--I can't run the air all night just for the orchid--it would cost a fortune.

I probably won't repot. We're leaving the island in a few months and the plants will have to stay here. I'll enjoy it while it lasts and try to keep it going.

Thanks for all the help, as always.
jmerk
15 years ago
Oncidium. What's been said is right and you got it for a killer deal! Have fun with it, oncidium look really cool

Jeff
raenjapan
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, I guess I am repotting it after all. We had the windows open last night and a gust of wind knocked it off the table, breaking the pot. I'll get it a bigger one today.

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