Dancing lady, shifting!

[camille1585]

If the plant isn't very stable in its pot (explaining that it moved somewhat) you can keep it staked until more roots grow. Once the blooms go it will probably start a new growth, which will provide plenty of roots to anchor down the plant!

[TiffanyP]

I'm struggling with that part. I can't get drainage and security to the right balance. Shouldn't they be somewhat airy? Then they can't be as secure though. Never really had this situation though. A moving plant.

[camille1585]

You can have a very airly medium and still have a stable plant, it's the roots that make it stable. If you repotted it not long ago then it's normal for it to be somewhat wobbly.

[TiffanyP]

Thank you. Do you suggest any certain type of media for Oncidium alliance? They're epiphytes so I don't feel that certain orchids I have are in the right medium.

[TiffanyP]

Did you see my last post with the results of what I found?
It was firm in the pot I just bought it with tightly wrapped rubber ties. The spikes grew about an inch in height, but the rubber ties had it anchored in place to the stakes so as it grew instead of going up it shifted the bottom. I spotted it by looking at the spikes as they were contorted at the bottom from trying desperately to grow up but the rubber ties were making it stay stuck.

[WhiteRabbit]

From your photo, it looks like the plant is quite upright ? Does it seem wobbly? If so, I'd try to not jostle it around. Once established, I haven't seen orchids become loose in their pots, even if I have rotted all the roots.

[WhiteRabbit]

ah! I see! Glad you were able to figure that out.

Oncidiums can be grown in fir bark mix, tho generally smaller chips than for Phals, since they have finer roots, and usually like to remain a bit moist. They can also be grown in coconut husk mix (chips or fiber), sphag moss, s/h, just about any type of media commonly used for non-terrestrial orchids.

[camille1585]

I have Oncs in either fine bark, a mix of fine bark and a bit of sphag, or fine bark with foam pieces.

[james mickelso]

They like to be moist but not wet. I plant in a mix of fine and medium bark, sponge rock, and charcol. Airy but dense enough to hold the plant securely. If you plant is "wobbly", then tie it to the stakes securely lest as the new growths start to grow roots, they will be broken by even slight movements. This plant actually looks to be in a much larger pot than is necessary. The width isn't too much but unless there is type of foam peanuts or gravel in the bottom third of the pot, it is inviting root problems, though with two spikes means this plant was very well grown. To me this looks like Sharry Baby or Sweet Sugar. Might be my uncalibrated monitor though.

[TiffanyP]

I think you may be right...when I adjusted the plant a little I noticed the entire other half was not filled with roots at all. Do you suggest another trot after blooming? I think its a Sherry. I've read on them and they look the same and the description of the fragrance is within the description too.