Newbie to Oncidiums - Orchid Board

jaggars · #1 03-22-2016, 10:32 PM

I was given this beauty tonight and was wondering: if these roots are suppose to look like this? And do I need to soak in seaweed or plain water before potting?

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PaphMadMan · #2 03-23-2016, 06:38 AM

If you are used to Catts and Phals, the roots of Oncids do seem very thin by comparison. That is normal. Live ones are usually white or greenish. Brown ones may be dead, so you may not have much healthy root there. With some TLC the plant should be just fine though.

jaggars · #3 03-23-2016, 07:47 AM

Thank you! I soaked the roots for about a hour and potted it in a fine bark mix. Hopefully the little guy will make it 😬

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WhiteRabbit · #4 03-23-2016, 08:55 PM

Hard to tell from the photo - looks like they may be dried out ... do they look, feel dried out to you? Even if they are, they plant very well may do ok - Oncidiums can be very resilient.

jaggars · #5 03-23-2016, 09:42 PM

Sadly they were pretty dry 😕. But after its soak they looked ok but being this is my first one I really didn't know what to look for in "good roots". Thank you guys for your help.

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snowflake311 · #6 03-24-2016, 12:15 AM

These plants are amazing it will be fine. If you have green it will make it with the right care. You do not need roots as long as you have a green Bulb.

Have you ever heard of "Back Bulb"? it is a way to Propagate oncidium. All you need is a green pseudobulbs and substrate. You just have to make sure the bulb dose not move. I have tried this myself with a sherry baby and the bulb has tiny new growth after 5 months. It takes a long time.

Just stick this plant in a pot try and keep it from getting bumped . You might want to Stake it in the pot. Do NOT over water it. The perfect amount of Neglect is what they need. Give it lots of light and some growth fertilized 2 times a month or so. It will be fine it might take 2 years or more for it to be strong enough to bloom. Yes it will make it with some love and lots of time.

Don't under estimate a Orchids they are tough as nails. I have this one that looked like it was going to die. The bulb turned black. I left it and the thing has new growth. Orchids are amazing.

jaggars · #7 03-24-2016, 09:37 PM

Awesome! Thank you so much. As soon as this bad weather moves out I'm gonna move it outside under our covered porch

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