Oncidium with brown pseudobulbs

[BoardBloke]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Firs, Welcome!

If you just received it... it is very likely that it got too dry. In time, the older pseudpbulbs may shrivel, providing energy to the newer ones. I would suggest pulling it out of the pot to get a look at the roots and medium. These like to stay on the damp side, but still need air around the roots. (Not clear in the photo, the mix isn't obviously bad, but it is a good idea to see what is going on farther down. I would use small bark, which fits my watering pattern. If you water less, then sphagnum could work. Or many people on the Board use a semi-hydroponic technique, with inorganic medium. A look at the roots will tell you whether there is a problem brewing or not. But you have a new growth, so this is a good time to repot, get it into an environment that fits YOUR watering pattern and conditions.

Hi Roberta and thanks for your reply. It turns out that the central roots are a bit rotten, but there are plenty of roots around the outside that are healthy (see pic). A lot of nursery plants seem to be started in moss as seedlings, then potted up into bark, leaving the moss at the centre, which leads to root rot.