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| I bought an orchid for my mother on mothers day last year. It was one i have never seen in any regular store before or since and there was only one left. It had lovely tiger like blooms about 3-4" wide, which leads me to believe it's a tiger orchid, but still not sure. There is one giant pseudobulb (hope my terminology is correct) and 2 pups when i bought it, the two leaf spike thingies came out after mothers day but never blossomed. During the fall she put it in a cold dark corner and the roots rotted and the bulb was getting creases. After an emergency repot early jan and careful care i finally spotted some healthy white roots (i assume pale white and firm is better than brown and mushy?) I think it might live, i hope so because i don't know if i can get it again. Does anyone know what type of orchid it is for sure? And am i properly caring for it? It is about 5 feet away from a southern window, approx 2-3 feet to the left of it, little to no direct sun but bright light. A tree near the window takes some of the light. It was repotted into a container claimed to be "great for orchids" (it was at lowes) that has holes in the sides of the pot i the shape of leaves with miraclegro orchid mix. I worry i didn't cut enough of the brown roots off before the repot, so i might have to do it again in the spring, assuming that is the proper time of year to do it. My mother finally bought a misting bottle and started misting it about 1 time a day or 1 time every other day, i'm not sure since i'm not her. I fertilized it once, with miracle gro orchid fertilizer (probably wasn't a good idea), not going to do it again until it looks healthy. Wish i had a picture of the new roots, but the picture was way out of focus. I assume the conditions are at least ok since it is recovering, but i'd rather have it in ideal conditions. Should i invest in a humidity tray or a new pot? I'm pretty sure it IS epiphytic and not terrestrial so the holes might be ok. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| I told her when it needs water, to give it very little water since it does not have a lot of roots, the soil at the bottom might get too wet for too long. Hope that is ok. Here is a pic where you can see the third pup, very small and a little buried in the soil. |
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| Your orchid is an Oncidium, and it sounds like you're on the right track in reviving it. I wouldn't fertilize until I see healthy roots and perhaps new growth. Oncidiums grow up in and on trees (epiphytes), so the pot and mix should let H2O run right thru. A clay pot c holes in the side is ideal, along c a good, light orchid mix. The mix should not stay wet or soggy after watering. |
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| Thank you Leafhead, I google searched oncidium, i'm convinced and i'm so glad i know what it is now. |
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