Hi everyone!

I have some kind of concern.....I have two oncidiums, growing a new
pseudobulb, I have decide that was a good opportunity to repot them.

For both of them i used a mix of bark, perlite and spanhum moss......I am
not so sure if this mix is ok, because when i took one of them form the
original pot (this one is the Onc.colmenara wildcat lorene) the potting
material was 100% spanghum moss, very healthy roots, white and plump. The
other oncidium (flexousum) was in a kinf of fine mix of bark and perlite,
very fine roots, comparing with the other one not so healthy (?)....

I know everybody has different opinions, or favorites, but what shlud be the
best? Another point, both of them were in plastic pots, and i have changed
in clay pots....

Any idea, advice, considereation, observation...etc. it is going to be very
appreciated!

Paulo
(trying)

Paulo,

The choice of potting material is subject to a lot of different criteria,
but either of the options you mentioned (all spagh or a mix with some bark,
etc.) are generally suitable for Oncidiums. However, you have to be careful
to compare the results appropriately.

For example, you mention that the plant that was in all spagh seemed
generally healthier than the one in bark. How old was the medium in each
case? You say the bark was "fine". Could it have broken down? If it was
mealy, then it was probably past time to repot that Onc.

As an experiment, I took two identical Oncidium hybrids and potted one in
fresh spaghnum and the other in a mix of coco husk chips, sponge rock,
charcoal, fine Aliflor, and a little Perlite for good measure (using the
sponge rock, the Perlite was not really needed, I guess). I knew that the
spaghnum would break down long before the CHC mix. As it turned out, the
two plants performed about the same.

I generally don't use bark because I don't like how it breaks down, but that
is strictly a personal preference. Some of the most successful growers that
I know swear by bark mixes. To each his own. Keep an eye on the plants,
and if they appear to slow down in the new medium, put them back in what
made them happiest.

BTW, remember that, depending on your conditions, you may need to water a
little more now that the plants are in clay. Clay pots dry out faster than
plastic.

Have fun!

Diana

Subject: Repoting
From: "Paulo"
Date: Sat, May 24, 2003 12:10 PM
Message-id:

Hi everyone!

I have some kind of concern.....I have two oncidiums, growing a new
pseudobulb, I have decide that was a good opportunity to repot them.

For both of them i used a mix of bark, perlite and spanhum moss......I am
not so sure if this mix is ok, because when i took one of them form the
original pot (this one is the Onc.colmenara wildcat lorene) the potting
material was 100% spanghum moss, very healthy roots, white and plump. The
other oncidium (flexousum) was in a kinf of fine mix of bark and perlite,
very fine roots, comparing with the other one not so healthy (?)....

I know everybody has different opinions, or favorites, but what shlud be the
best? Another point, both of them were in plastic pots, and i have changed
in clay pots....

Any idea, advice, considereation, observation...etc. it is going to be very
appreciated!

Paulo
(trying)


You really can not compare these two plants-one, Onc flexuosum, is a species
oncidium, which, by the way, would do much better mounted, as it rises with
growth and is difficult to keep in a pot, while the other one is a complex
hybrid in the Oncidium alliance, Colmanara Wildcat.
Either one will do well in either of the two mixes (assuming you still wish to
grow flexuosum in a pot); and either pot will be fine. Plastic pots are
cheaper, lighter, and easier to clean for reuse; clay is heavier, and more
stable, looks better, but is easier to break, and more expensive-whichever
suits your fancy.

Thanks a lot Diana
I think the one in the fine bark, it have started to discompose.....I mean
look very dark and kind of mushy....

How can I tell when the spanghum moss is starting to descompose? Change in
color? breaking down in small pieces?

Thanks again

Paulo
"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
thlink.net...
Paulo,

The choice of potting material is subject to a lot of different criteria,
but either of the options you mentioned (all spagh or a mix with some
bark,
etc.) are generally suitable for Oncidiums. However, you have to be
careful
to compare the results appropriately.

For example, you mention that the plant that was in all spagh seemed
generally healthier than the one in bark. How old was the medium in each
case? You say the bark was "fine". Could it have broken down? If it was
mealy, then it was probably past time to repot that Onc.

As an experiment, I took two identical Oncidium hybrids and potted one in
fresh spaghnum and the other in a mix of coco husk chips, sponge rock,
charcoal, fine Aliflor, and a little Perlite for good measure (using the
sponge rock, the Perlite was not really needed, I guess). I knew that the
spaghnum would break down long before the CHC mix. As it turned out, the
two plants performed about the same.

I generally don't use bark because I don't like how it breaks down, but
that
is strictly a personal preference. Some of the most successful growers
that
I know swear by bark mixes. To each his own. Keep an eye on the plants,
and if they appear to slow down in the new medium, put them back in what
made them happiest.

BTW, remember that, depending on your conditions, you may need to water a
little more now that the plants are in clay. Clay pots dry out faster
than
plastic.

Have fun!

Diana

Thanks for your help

In regards to the flexosum, if i want to keep it in a pot, do you think a
coarse mix would be better? I think this coarse mix will allow more air in
the roots....somehow similar to be mounted (?). This plant doesnt have any
leaves, just 3 pseudobulbs, very light green, they look very healthy (at
least on my unexperienced eyes), and it is growing a little...new pseudobulb
(?)

I prefer clay, I dont know why yet, but i think allow more air, and because
i keep them in a tray with pebbles, i can see the clay absorbing some
water....

Thanks again

Paulo

"WNeptune" wrote in message
...
Subject: Repoting
From: "Paulo"
Date: Sat, May 24, 2003 12:10 PM
Message-id:

Hi everyone!

I have some kind of concern.....I have two oncidiums, growing a new
pseudobulb, I have decide that was a good opportunity to repot them.

For both of them i used a mix of bark, perlite and spanhum moss......I am
not so sure if this mix is ok, because when i took one of them form the
original pot (this one is the Onc.colmenara wildcat lorene) the potting
material was 100% spanghum moss, very healthy roots, white and plump. The
other oncidium (flexousum) was in a kinf of fine mix of bark and perlite,
very fine roots, comparing with the other one not so healthy (?)....

I know everybody has different opinions, or favorites, but what shlud be
the
best? Another point, both of them were in plastic pots, and i have changed
in clay pots....

Any idea, advice, considereation, observation...etc. it is going to be
very
appreciated!

Paulo
(trying)


You really can not compare these two plants-one, Onc flexuosum, is a
species
oncidium, which, by the way, would do much better mounted, as it rises
with
growth and is difficult to keep in a pot, while the other one is a complex
hybrid in the Oncidium alliance, Colmanara Wildcat.
Either one will do well in either of the two mixes (assuming you still
wish to
grow flexuosum in a pot); and either pot will be fine. Plastic pots are
cheaper, lighter, and easier to clean for reuse; clay is heavier, and more
stable, looks better, but is easier to break, and more expensive-whichever
suits your fancy.

Paulo,

Spaghnum moss generally should be changed after 6 months to a year (at
most), depending on your watering habits and the quality of the moss. New
Zealand spag is considered the best, and some of the Chilean product is very
good. (I got some Chilean from Ray at First Ray's that was as good as the
N.Z. that I'd been using.)

If you can reach into the pot and come up with fingers full of long strands
of moss, then you're probably fine. If it is slimy, or worse, soupy, change
it out immediately. That's why I like the CHC mix; it lasts far longer.
But I still use spag, and will continue to do so. Some plants just like it
better. Go figure!

Diana

Diana: SInce I have changed my ocidium, i have notice some brown colour on
the leaves.....I am worry now..

"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
thlink.net...
Paulo,

Spaghnum moss generally should be changed after 6 months to a year (at
most), depending on your watering habits and the quality of the moss. New
Zealand spag is considered the best, and some of the Chilean product is
very
good. (I got some Chilean from Ray at First Ray's that was as good as the
N.Z. that I'd been using.)

If you can reach into the pot and come up with fingers full of long
strands
of moss, then you're probably fine. If it is slimy, or worse, soupy,
change
it out immediately. That's why I like the CHC mix; it lasts far longer.
But I still use spag, and will continue to do so. Some plants just like
it
better. Go figure!

Diana

Paulo,

Can you post a picture of it on alt.binaries.pictures.orchids? I have the
occasional problem with fungus that affects my thin-leafed plants, causing
brown spots, and treat it with a natural fungicide (alcohol and cinnamon
mixture - go to http://www.firstrays.com
for more information and lots of other good stuff). However, I wouldn't
venture a guess as to what is wrong at this point. Overwatered?
Underwatered? And if the leaf loss is on back bulbs there may be no
problem. I have some Oncidium crosses that keep their leaves faithfully and
others that tend to lose leaves after blooming.

Barring any more info, take it out of the pot again and examine the roots.
Maybe it doesn't like the bark.

Diana

Diana, I would like to post a pic, but i dont have a digital camera
I was observing the plant very carefully, and the brown spots seem to be dry
patches, and they are in the new leaves, i doubt is lack of water...

In the other hand my onc.flexosum is growing new leaves..but are growing as
a zig-zag..i have read is lack of water...but again..i doubt it....I have
change all the potting mix to see what happen....... I am very concern

Paulo
"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
thlink.net...
Paulo,

Can you post a picture of it on alt.binaries.pictures.orchids? I have the
occasional problem with fungus that affects my thin-leafed plants, causing
brown spots, and treat it with a natural fungicide (alcohol and cinnamon
mixture - go to http://www.firstrays.com
for more information and lots of other good stuff). However, I wouldn't
venture a guess as to what is wrong at this point. Overwatered?
Underwatered? And if the leaf loss is on back bulbs there may be no
problem. I have some Oncidium crosses that keep their leaves faithfully
and
others that tend to lose leaves after blooming.

Barring any more info, take it out of the pot again and examine the roots.
Maybe it doesn't like the bark.

Diana

On Tue, 27 May 2003 18:37:56 -0400, "Paulo"
wrote:

Diana, I would like to post a pic, but i dont have a digital camera
I was observing the plant very carefully, and the brown spots seem to be dry
patches, and they are in the new leaves, i doubt is lack of water...

In the other hand my onc.flexosum is growing new leaves..but are growing as
a zig-zag..i have read is lack of water...but again..i doubt it....I have
change all the potting mix to see what happen....... I am very concern

Paulo

Your zig-zag leaf can be lack of water due to bad roots rather
than due to not being watered. Good Luck with them.

SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php