New Oncidium, with way too many roots and in bloom

[Marlena]

Just received an Oncidium Sharry Baby in bloom, in a3.5 inch pot. Roots from top, bottom and sides - looks like a bird's nest. Should I let it acclimatize for a few days, put it in bark mix, let it finish blooming, cut off the blooms - still with quite a few buds. I have a couple other plants that arrives with way too many roots as well that I have let rest for about 2 weeks. All mail order babies. Thanks for any suggestions.

[Orchid Whisperer]

With orchids, there is no such thing as too many roots. Ever.

IMO, let it finish blooming before repotting.

[Ray]

Hey, UGA boy: we agree again.

Oh crap.

[estación seca]

"Too many roots?" That does not compute. What do you mean by "let rest for a few weeks?" I hope you aren't drying them out, attempting to kill the roots. Water them!

[Marlena]

No, I watered it all well and spray it often they're just all over the place and I am afraid they will dry out too much.

---------- Post added at 09:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:25 AM ----------

When I say too many roots, I mean too many for the size pot and don't know whether to start repotting into water culture or wait until they are more acclimated to my house.

[rbarata]

I would wait until after blooming, not because of any adaptation issue...just to let you enjoy the flowers.
Many people repot right when they receive a new plant at home so I believe that it won't be any problem if you'd do it now, but the blooms may not resist.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Marlena

When I say too many roots, I mean too many for the size pot and don't know whether to start repotting into water culture or wait until they are more acclimated to my house.

Don't worry then. Once you move those roots into water culture, they will all suffocate and die anyway.

For that big of a change in root zone environment, you definitely want to wait until new roots are emerging from the base of the plant.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I would never try growing water lilies or water hyacinth by tying them to a mount, or placing in a pot with bark. Why would you place the roots of an epiphyte in water??

I have no idea where the water culture idea came from. If you want to kill an orchid, a food processor is a lot quicker.

[Marlena]

Actually, it isn't many have thrived for 3+ years.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

I have no idea where the water culture idea came from.

Rob Venger, of the former Venger's Orchids of Colorado Springs invented that in the mid-80's.

He found that if he kept the water temperature to a minimum of 75F, and let the plant grow a sufficient root system in that environment, they did quite well.

While I don't particularly like the concept, it works.