When dividing Oncidium Alliance plants, always divide into parts with at least four (4) psuedobulbs. Remember, the light filters through the treetops in the wild, rather than striking the plant directly. It’s also possible your orchid has sunburn due to too much direct sunlight. Then, start dividing your orchid into pieces with at least 3 to 4 pseudobulbs per piece. If you find it useful we can do some on other genera. This species is widely available and is great for beginners. Make sure the light is indirect. We also recommend Oncidium flexuosum, which requires less watering and fertilizer than most other species. Related: How to Repot an Orchid: Step by Step Guide. If it's divided up any smaller it will take longer to flower. Any that are firm are good. View Profile View Forum Posts Private Message View Articles Published on December 31st, 1969 09:00 PM Number of Views: 22022 Categories: Cattleya; It is bound to happen. These plants should live in an area with at least 40 percent humidity, although humidity levels between 50 and 60 percent are ideal. Oncidium orchids have thin roots so repotting is a very delicate job. Oncidium (14) Other (16) Phalaenopsis (20) Slipper Orchids (14) Recent Orchid Articles. Dividing orchids is a common way to propagate the plants and is fairly straightforward. Oncidium orchids, also commonly known as “Dancing Lady” orchids, are known for their vibrant colors and uniquely shaped flowers. Oncidiums have large pseudobulbs at the base of the plant. Generally Oncidiums are planted in either an orchid bark mix or New Zealand sphagnum moss mixed with tree fern fiber. You can use a standard household thermometer to measure this. There is nothing bad or rotted about any of the roots in the photos. Plants with thin leaves will require slightly more water than those with water-retaining leaves. A short video on repotting an Oncidium. The conditions you provide should mimic this environment. Sparingly, when pseudobulbs start to wrinkle, Medium-grade mix of 1:1 bark and sphagnum moss, Expose to cooler temperatures to encourage blooming, Weak 30-10-10 fertilizer, every 2 to 3 weeks, Remove old spikes and rotten pseudobulbs, when necessary. Odontoglossum and Oncidium intergeneric hybrids are comprised of a large group of orchids from many different genera. no, that's actually a perfect explanation for the roots, thank you! The roots should be allowed to nearly dry out between each watering session. Aug 5, 2019 - Orchid Care: Dividing and repotting Oncidium Orchids and similar Orchids. from 50-60F and 70-80F during the day. You can use a sterile blade to help, but only when necessary. To date, more than 700 species of these orchids are known. This should take about 10 to 15 minutes. 12. First, it is a perfect wa… Dividing orchids during the repotting process makes it easy to separate them, and you can wrap divisions loosely in moist paper towels to transport them to a … It is best to let the plant become large and overgrown in the pot before dividing. Gardeners commonly use plant propagation for several reasons. You can also use the “hand test” – on a bright, clear day, hold your hand about 12 inches away from the leaves of your plant. For Oncidiums, it’s best to pick a pot that’s slightly on the smaller side, as they prefer a snug fit. When we get new plants, we don't know how old the media is, so it is generally recommended to repot new plants. Why Are My Plant’s Leaves Turning Yellow? It’s event season! This will diffuse the light, while still letting most of it through. The easiest way to propagate a Dancing Lady orchid is by division, once it grows large enough. Dividing orchids means removing the plant from its current pot, cutting it into smaller parts and placing the parts in new pots. Wrinkled pseudobulbs are a sign that the orchid needs more water. Look up your particular plant online and find out when to expect this. Along with the many hybrids these cool to warm growing orchids are one of the easiest of the epiphytic orchids to grow. If you’d like to see all this in action, check out this great YouTube video from MissOrchidGirl: Here are some common questions about Oncidiums: Some species of Oncidium are easier to grow than others. Use a 30-10-10 orchid fertilizer and dilute it to quarter to half strength. wetfeet101b. It is cross between Oncidium Jamie Sutton (Oncidium sotoanum x Oncidium anthocrene) and Oncidium Honolulu (Oncidium leuchochilum x Oncidium … Sterilize your tools with boiling water and alcohol, to avoid the risk of bacterial or fungal infections. So, you should aim to keep the temperature around 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. thank you very much for the incredibly informative reply! See Oncidium orchids (warm section)for details of these. However, it’s important to maintain good airflow around the plants to prevent bacteria and rot. The temperature should not drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night. They can also sometimes grow on rocks. When dividing a cymbidium orchid, aim to have between three and five healthy bulbs in each division as that will ensure the plant flowers again next year. How to Split Orchids. You can try to induce blooming by lowering the temperature at night, and by applying fertilizer. Oncidium do best when they are overflowing all sides of the pot. Related: How to Propagate Orchids: Complete Care Guide. Orchid Potting Mix: Care Guide & Information, Best Orchid Pots: Beginner’s Buying Guide, How to Repot an Orchid: Step by Step Guide, the flowers can last for a few weeks or even a few months, How Often Do Orchids Bloom? To do this, carefully remove your orchid from its pot. In addition, you can give your plant some fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks, which will help provide it with the nutrients it needs. Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web ! While you cut through the roots, hold your groups of pseudobulbs together so they don’t break apart. If you’d like to download this as a handy cheat sheet, right-click the image below and select “Save Image”: We recommend printing it off and keeping it by your orchid. Oncidium orchids, often abbreviated as Onc., is a popular genus of orchids that many green thumb gardeners love to care for. Because they generally grow with their roots exposed to the air, Dancing Lady orchids require specific watering routines so as not to rot the roots. To do this, carefully remove your orchid from its pot. Then, cut the rhizome between growths, leaving … Temperature is also split, dividing itself to intermediate temperatures to warm temperatures. Bear this in mind when choosing a potting mix. Mini Fragrant Cattleya Type Orchids … An important first step in learning to care for any type of orchid is to understand the conditions in which it grows naturally. We really like the Sharry Baby, which is sometimes called the “chocolate orchid” due to its scent. They are predominantly epiphytes, but sometimes also lithophytes and terrestrial plants. Bark should be replaced about every-other year. Dividing & Repotting Your Cymbidium. Propagation is the process of taking a cutting from a plant, or dividing the plant itself in half, and then planting this new cutting. To divide these orchids, first unpot the plant and remove the potting mix from around its roots, as when repotting orchids. Related: How Often Do Orchids Bloom? (And How Can I Make It Happen? Oncidium Sharry Baby is one of the best known orchid hybrids, a lso known as the chocolate orchid and not for its colors, but for its delicious fragrance.. As epiphytic orchids, they absorb a lot of the moisture they need from humidity in the air, through their roots. These are Zygopetalum, Dendrobium, Dendrofalenopsis, Cumbria, Fantasy Music, Black (Black) orchid, Oncidium … well, everything i've read says oncidiums are pretty hearty plants, so i think it will live through a repotting whether it was necessary or not. These are a thickened part of the stem used for water storage. Leave a comment below and let us know! How often it needs to be done depends on the plant, but generally, they should only be repotted once every two years. We use cookies to ensure we give you the best experience on our website. Now classified as Oncidium, they should not be confused with the orchids traditionally bearing this name that need warm growing conditions. Other methods such as cuttings and Keikis are uncommon. This group of orchids used to be known as Odontoglossum (tiger orchids). When grown indoors, these plants can be placed in an east-, west-, or south-facing window. In this care guide, we’re going to take a closer look at these wonderful plants and their care requirements. If your Dancing Lady orchid is starting to develop yellow leaves, there are a few possible causes. If you enjoyed this article, please share it using the buttons below. To get the best results from Oncidium, it is important to get the basics right. Nov 26, 2016 - I remember someone who said to me that she hated to grow cymbidium orchids because they needed to be repotted and divided after the plants had been filling all the room in the pot. The Oncidium Alliance ... A video of re potting and dividing an Oncidium in bark. After the blooming season has finished, you can remove the old flowering spikes from your Oncidium. For blooming size plants, a minimum of 3 to 5 bulbs per division should be kept. It takes a lot of resources for your plant to grow flowers, so it’s usually seasonal and you shouldn’t expect it to be in bloom all the time. If the shadow cast by your hand is clear and dark, you’ll know you have enough light to support an Oncidium. Using a sharp blade, carefully cut the spike close to the pseudobulb. After repotting, it’s important to give them enough water to ensure proper growth of the roots. They should be repotted about once in every two years. Hey there! Check out our repotting guide to learn how to do this safely. Like most orchid species, Oncidium orchids prefer medium to high humidity. Check out our fertilizer guide for more detail on how to choose the right type of fertilizer and apply it correctly: Related: Orchid Fertilizer: Everything You Need to Know. If you need to, you can increase humidity using a humidifier or humidity tray. You may need to cut the pot away to avoid damaging the plant. Just make sure you don’t overdo this, and remember that the best way to get your orchid to flower is to give it the best all-round care. Depends how old the media is. You may need to cut the pot away to avoid damaging the plant. Remember that it’s best to err on the side of underfeeding your orchid, as too much can burn the delicate roots. This watering pattern mimics the bouts of heavy rainfall in your orchid’s rainforest habitat. Cut into divisions, with very hot shears or knife, then place a dab of fungicide ( Dithane M45 or Captan 50% WP ) paste over the cut areas of each division. i'll just clip away the dead roots at the center. This may induce the plant to flower. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! 256 ORCHIDS APRIL 2005 WWW.AOS.ORG GROWING WITH ORCHIDS GREG ALLIKAS SOONER OR LATER, ALL SUCCESS-ful orchid growers will be faced with the task of dividing a thriving plant that, for various reasons, cannot be moved to a larger container. (And How Can I Make It Happen?). Do you have any secrets or tips for growing Oncidiums? The potting medium used for Oncidiums should be fairly loose and should drain easily. The cutting sprouts and an entirely new plant is created. There are over 300 species of oncidiums, but the most popular for home growers are the yellow or … Oncidiums grow in the wild, primarily in jungles of Central and South America, and the West Indies. To water your orchid, immerse the pot in water until the potting medium is soaked through. It is important not to trim the stems of the plant once the flowers have gone, as flowers often bloom on the same stems over and over. To stop the rot spreading, you may need to remove the rotten pseudobulb. Then, start dividing your orchid into pieces with at least 3 to 4 pseudobulbs per piece. The average temperature in the Amazon, for instance, is about 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Please share it if you find it useful! Remember, brassia orchids do not like to be disturbed by frequent repotting. Many large cymbidium orchids are too dense and strong to divide with your hands. Wait until the plant has finished blooming, to avoid damaging it. That is why oncidium should be selected for each type of orchid own, special care. Be very careful not to damage the fragile roots. i figure there have to be some good roots in that system to keep supporting a fairly large plant - four pseudobulbs and two new growths with leaves about a foot and a half to two feet. Dancing Lady orchids prefer warm temperatures. Too much direct light can cause sunburn. However, they are more particular about care than many other types of orchid. This plant can stay in a 4 inch pot for 2-3 more years. A good guideline is 2000 to 4000 footcandles of light. Again, use a sharp sterile blade to do this and be careful not to remove too much healthy tissue. Alternatively, you can keep your plant in one of the more humid rooms in your house, such as a kitchen or bathroom. Oncidium (say “on-SID-ee-um”) orchids are New World orchids, found in South and Central America and the West Indies, with one species in South Florida. Once the plant blooms, the flowers can last for a few weeks or even a few months. This will never happen if you keep dividing it and up-sizing the pots to fast. Reviving an Old Cattleya Pseudobulb by . Sympodial orchids can grow in one of two different ways. If you’re still not sure, check out our article about this common issue for more detail. As a result, you get more orchids. PLUS, i learned all these interesting things about the root system, so definitely not a complete loss all around. … This will often ensure similar lighting conditions. Because they have relatively fine roots, don’t use a very coarse mix as you would for a Phalaenopsis – go for a medium-grade mix instead. That’s multiplying by dividing. These plants have extremely fragile roots, so take care when repotting an Oncidium orchid. I can't be sure, but to me it looks like the roots visible in your photos are mostly good - I would suspect there may be dead ones in the center of the mass. You can plant the fresh divisions in … As a general rule, monopodial orchids will not need dividing. Make sure the water isn’t too cold or hot, as this can damage the roots. It's best to give it room for 2 years growth. To date, more than one new shoot each growth phase to determine which roots are good fairly loose should... 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