Oncidium Sharry Baby
 

I've had this orchid about 6 years. It bloomed the first couple but
hasn't since. I'm in N. Cal and keep it in a SW facing window under subdued
light. It's in a course bark medium but not misted often. I have recently
utilized a recommended fertilizer 19-31-17 but still no blooms. Temp. is
uncontrolled other than normal inside temps.
If anyone has experience with this specimen, I'd appreciate some ideas.

Thank you much,
TB

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Oncidium Sharry Baby
 

Can you increase the subdued light? Move it closer to the window? Low light
levels is the usual reason why orchids don't rebloom. I wouldn't worry about
the temps, I used to grow this outside here in the SF Bay Area.

K Barrett

"TB" wrote in message
.com...
I've had this orchid about 6 years. It bloomed the first couple but
hasn't since. I'm in N. Cal and keep it in a SW facing window under
subdued
light. It's in a course bark medium but not misted often. I have
recently
utilized a recommended fertilizer 19-31-17 but still no blooms. Temp. is
uncontrolled other than normal inside temps.
If anyone has experience with this specimen, I'd appreciate some
ideas.

Thank you much,
TB

Remove SPAM from e-mail address for direct reply.

Oncidium Sharry Baby
 

It's in the window but generally behind a sheer drapery during the day. The
ends of the leaves were getting a few dark brown spots and the edges also
turn yellow to brown. I though it might be from direct sunlight
occasionally but perhaps it's insufficient humidity? I can try a pebble
tray.

You grew them outdoors without a greenhouse?

I'm in the East Bay not more than a couple of miles from the water so temp
variation is not extreme.

Thank you,
TB


"K Barrett" wrote in message
news:Vokgb.510960$cF.181712@rwcrnsc53...
Can you increase the subdued light? Move it closer to the window? Low
light
levels is the usual reason why orchids don't rebloom. I wouldn't worry
about
the temps, I used to grow this outside here in the SF Bay Area.

K Barrett

Oncidium Sharry Baby
 

Black tips could be insufficient humidity. But considering your proximity to
the water I'd doubt it was ambient humidity. It might be drying out too fast
in the large bark you have it in. Try putting a thin layer of fine bark
over the large bark you have it potted in. This will keep more moisture
inside the pot. Or if its in a clay pot slip that pot into a plastic pot and
see if that keeps more moisture at the roots. (Not sopping wet, but more
evenly moist.

Leaf tips also turn black frrom fertilizing a dry pot. The concentration on
salts transport to the leaf tips and result in them dieing back. So water
before you fertilize (like the day before). This'll also keep your bark in
better shape, it won't get crusty white salt deposits on it as fast.

Also, Sharry Baby tends to have small black spots on the leaves anyway,
depending on the light, so if you see those develop, don't freak.

Have you gotten any new growths?

I'm in the Concord area. We get hotter and are drier than most of the rest
of the Bay Area.

K Barrett


"TB" wrote in message
.com...
It's in the window but generally behind a sheer drapery during the day.
The
ends of the leaves were getting a few dark brown spots and the edges also
turn yellow to brown. I though it might be from direct sunlight
occasionally but perhaps it's insufficient humidity? I can try a pebble
tray.

You grew them outdoors without a greenhouse?

I'm in the East Bay not more than a couple of miles from the water so temp
variation is not extreme.

Thank you,
TB


"K Barrett" wrote in message
news:Vokgb.510960$cF.181712@rwcrnsc53...
Can you increase the subdued light? Move it closer to the window? Low
light
levels is the usual reason why orchids don't rebloom. I wouldn't worry
about
the temps, I used to grow this outside here in the SF Bay Area.

K Barrett

Oncidium Sharry Baby
 

It's in a plastic pot with large fir bark and a thin layer of lava rock on
top for the look only. I believe that I have not taken enough care to
always keep it moist though. I thought the bark held moisture pretty well
but now don't believe that to have been sufficient. I will add the fine
bark for retention.

I'd like to repot into a more attractive container, perhaps a glazed
ceramic.

I have always had new leaves coming out and actually removed about a third
of the plant last time I repotted. About a year back. I also may have been
fertilizing to often recently (the last 5 or 6 months). No blooms.

My wife says that I should get a new one and I reply that I will when she
replaces the cat.
It's the only Orchid that I have and do like the plant.

TB


"K Barrett" wrote in message
news:1prgb.693004$YN5.563902@sccrnsc01...
Black tips could be insufficient humidity. But considering your proximity
to
the water I'd doubt it was ambient humidity. It might be drying out too
fast
in the large bark you have it in. Try putting a thin layer of fine bark
over the large bark you have it potted in. This will keep more moisture
inside the pot. Or if its in a clay pot slip that pot into a plastic pot
and
see if that keeps more moisture at the roots. (Not sopping wet, but more
evenly moist.

Leaf tips also turn black frrom fertilizing a dry pot. The concentration
on
salts transport to the leaf tips and result in them dieing back. So water
before you fertilize (like the day before). This'll also keep your bark in
better shape, it won't get crusty white salt deposits on it as fast.

Also, Sharry Baby tends to have small black spots on the leaves anyway,
depending on the light, so if you see those develop, don't freak.

Have you gotten any new growths?

I'm in the Concord area. We get hotter and are drier than most of the rest
of the Bay Area.

K Barrett

Oncidium Sharry Baby
 

IMHO, bump it into slightly more light. IMHO this one will tolerate a few
hours of direct sunlight in teh AM but IIRC this is in a SW window, and so
that will be difficult. If you worry about direct sunlight feel the leaves
to see how warm they get in direct light. (Some say feel them against your
cheek rahter than your hand) Additionally, we are going into winter and sun
will be reduced. Top it with the fine bark. Slip the pot it presently is in
into a prettier pot rather than repotting into the nice pot. The roots might
adhere to the nice pot and get ripped up when you repot in the future, or
you may break the nice pot when repotting. Plus if you slip pot you can
change pots around freely instead of being stuck with one 'look'.

Hope this helps, Good luck!

K Barrett

"TB" wrote in message
.com...
It's in a plastic pot with large fir bark and a thin layer of lava rock on
top for the look only. I believe that I have not taken enough care to
always keep it moist though. I thought the bark held moisture pretty well
but now don't believe that to have been sufficient. I will add the fine
bark for retention.

I'd like to repot into a more attractive container, perhaps a glazed
ceramic.

I have always had new leaves coming out and actually removed about a third
of the plant last time I repotted. About a year back. I also may have
been
fertilizing to often recently (the last 5 or 6 months). No blooms.

My wife says that I should get a new one and I reply that I will when she
replaces the cat.
It's the only Orchid that I have and do like the plant.

TB


"K Barrett" wrote in message
news:1prgb.693004$YN5.563902@sccrnsc01...
Black tips could be insufficient humidity. But considering your
proximity
to
the water I'd doubt it was ambient humidity. It might be drying out too
fast
in the large bark you have it in. Try putting a thin layer of fine
bark
over the large bark you have it potted in. This will keep more moisture
inside the pot. Or if its in a clay pot slip that pot into a plastic pot
and
see if that keeps more moisture at the roots. (Not sopping wet, but more
evenly moist.

Leaf tips also turn black frrom fertilizing a dry pot. The concentration
on
salts transport to the leaf tips and result in them dieing back. So
water
before you fertilize (like the day before). This'll also keep your bark
in
better shape, it won't get crusty white salt deposits on it as fast.

Also, Sharry Baby tends to have small black spots on the leaves anyway,
depending on the light, so if you see those develop, don't freak.

Have you gotten any new growths?

I'm in the Concord area. We get hotter and are drier than most of the
rest
of the Bay Area.

K Barrett

Oncidium Sharry Baby
 

On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 04:58:12 GMT, "TB"
wrote:

It's in a plastic pot with large fir bark and a thin layer of lava rock on
top for the look only. I believe that I have not taken enough care to
always keep it moist though. I thought the bark held moisture pretty well
but now don't believe that to have been sufficient. I will add the fine
bark for retention.

I'd like to repot into a more attractive container, perhaps a glazed
ceramic.
I have always had new leaves coming out and actually removed about a third
of the plant last time I repotted. About a year back. I also may have been
fertilizing to often recently (the last 5 or 6 months). No blooms.

My wife says that I should get a new one and I reply that I will when she
replaces the cat.
It's the only Orchid that I have and do like the plant.

TB

I think you are short of light. Sharry Baby can have leaves
bleached yellow by the sun. It likes pretty strong light. If
your hand about 10" above the plant will not cast a distinct
shadow, your light is Phal bright. You need to slowly work the
plant into more light.

If any salt build up shows on the lava rock, remove the rock and
flush the pot with pure water. If there is no discoloration from
the fertilizers, I would go forward with 1/2 strength every other
time you water. Some people prefer 1/4 strength every time and
the first week of every month flush the pot with just water.

Sharry Baby can bloom most anytime. I have one completely done
and one just in bud now. So keep the faith and slowly move her
to a brighter spot. Remember she can sunburn just like you would
if you went from winter blahs to Summer sun and sat out all day.

Good luck and good growing. I have to ask. How did you last
that long with only one plant? Most of us have gone from 1 to a
dozen in less than a month.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

Oncidium Sharry Baby
 

You said a mouthful, Sue! Today I moved everything out to the newer area in
preparation for a chemical bath tomorrow morning, and I can hardly believe I
started with a couple of no-name Dends 3 1/2 years ago. Two hundred and
counting......

Diana

"Susan Erickson" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 04:58:12 GMT, "TB"
wrote:

It's in a plastic pot with large fir bark and a thin layer of lava rock
on
top for the look only. I believe that I have not taken enough care to
always keep it moist though. I thought the bark held moisture pretty
well
but now don't believe that to have been sufficient. I will add the fine
bark for retention.

I'd like to repot into a more attractive container, perhaps a glazed
ceramic.
I have always had new leaves coming out and actually removed about a
third
of the plant last time I repotted. About a year back. I also may have
been
fertilizing to often recently (the last 5 or 6 months). No blooms.

My wife says that I should get a new one and I reply that I will when she
replaces the cat.
It's the only Orchid that I have and do like the plant.

TB

I think you are short of light. Sharry Baby can have leaves
bleached yellow by the sun. It likes pretty strong light. If
your hand about 10" above the plant will not cast a distinct
shadow, your light is Phal bright. You need to slowly work the
plant into more light.

If any salt build up shows on the lava rock, remove the rock and
flush the pot with pure water. If there is no discoloration from
the fertilizers, I would go forward with 1/2 strength every other
time you water. Some people prefer 1/4 strength every time and
the first week of every month flush the pot with just water.

Sharry Baby can bloom most anytime. I have one completely done
and one just in bud now. So keep the faith and slowly move her
to a brighter spot. Remember she can sunburn just like you would
if you went from winter blahs to Summer sun and sat out all day.

Good luck and good growing. I have to ask. How did you last
that long with only one plant? Most of us have gone from 1 to a
dozen in less than a month.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

Oncidium Sharry Baby
 

Sharry Baby _gets_ leaf spotting. The current theory is that it's a
reaction to heat, whether that's true or not I am not sure, but I think it's
likely, because I've seen plants grown cooler [but still with bright light]
that don't get it. What I do know for sure is that here in south Florida,
anyone who's ever grown one will tell you that a plant without leafspots is
_not_ Sharry Baby.

Many of the other thin-leaved oncid hybrids also tend toward leafspot, at
least under our hot humid conditions, including Colm. Wildcat. As long as
the spots are hard and dry, as opposed to soft or mushy, we don't worry
about them.

--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids

http://www.jborchids.com
"TB" wrote in message
.com...
It's in the window but generally behind a sheer drapery during the day.
The
ends of the leaves were getting a few dark brown spots and the edges also
turn yellow to brown. I though it might be from direct sunlight
occasionally but perhaps it's insufficient humidity? I can try a pebble
tray.

You grew them outdoors without a greenhouse?

I'm in the East Bay not more than a couple of miles from the water so temp
variation is not extreme.

Thank you,
TB


"K Barrett" wrote in message
news:Vokgb.510960$cF.181712@rwcrnsc53...
Can you increase the subdued light? Move it closer to the window? Low
light
levels is the usual reason why orchids don't rebloom. I wouldn't worry
about
the temps, I used to grow this outside here in the SF Bay Area.

K Barrett

Oncidium Sharry Baby
 

TB,

Like the others have said Sharry Baby enjoys a lot of light. Gradually give
it some more.

You did not say when the plant was last repotted. These should be repotted
when the new growth begins to send out new roots. Older pseudobulbs don't
send out new roots and if the roots are damaged on the older pseudobulbs
they begin to shrivel up from dehydration. Also if the roots have died
because the medium has decayed that may explain the brown ends of the
leaves.

Usually these grow like weeds. I know one grower from Pennsylvania that
brings them to the October Orchid Show with bulbs the size of large flat
grapefruit and 8 feet flower stems. He sells out as quickly as he brings
them to the table. He grows his in a pro-mix (mud) but that can be
difficult for the hobbiest to grow and not rot the roots. I grow mine in a
cocohusk/aliflor mix in clay pots. Each growth throw out one or two flower
spikes when the growth matures. I usually get two blooms a year or about
every 8 months.

Good growing,
Gene

Oncidium Sharry Baby
 

I grow mine in a mud mix. It is a mature plant that has about 8 bulbs in a
10" pot. It gets 10 ounces of water per day and grows like a weed.

When I took it out of a south window (no shade and a 430W HPS overhead) it
pouted and stopped its blooming. It only bloomed once during the next year
where it usually bloomed about 3 times per year.

It is now back in a high light area and after 3 months has two spikes on it.

John G. Talpa, CWS-VI
Certified Water Specialist
JT Company




"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
ink.net...
TB,

Like the others have said Sharry Baby enjoys a lot of light. Gradually
give
it some more.

You did not say when the plant was last repotted. These should be
repotted
when the new growth begins to send out new roots. Older pseudobulbs don't
send out new roots and if the roots are damaged on the older pseudobulbs
they begin to shrivel up from dehydration. Also if the roots have died
because the medium has decayed that may explain the brown ends of the
leaves.

Usually these grow like weeds. I know one grower from Pennsylvania that
brings them to the October Orchid Show with bulbs the size of large flat
grapefruit and 8 feet flower stems. He sells out as quickly as he brings
them to the table. He grows his in a pro-mix (mud) but that can be
difficult for the hobbiest to grow and not rot the roots. I grow mine in
a
cocohusk/aliflor mix in clay pots. Each growth throw out one or two
flower
spikes when the growth matures. I usually get two blooms a year or about
every 8 months.

Good growing,
Gene

Oncidium Sharry Baby
 

Yikes! What a wealth of information. Thanks everyone. I think I have been
busy with the garden and a number of Bonsai plants. Perhaps it's been my
mediocre luck with this Orchid that has held me back. The Orchid show in
Pleasant Hill this weekend could change my whole outlook.
Thanks again,
Troy


"TB" wrote in message
.com...
I've had this orchid about 6 years. It bloomed the first couple but
hasn't since. I'm in N. Cal and keep it in a SW facing window under
subdued
light. It's in a course bark medium but not misted often. I have
recently
utilized a recommended fertilizer 19-31-17 but still no blooms. Temp. is
uncontrolled other than normal inside temps.
If anyone has experience with this specimen, I'd appreciate some
ideas.

Thank you much,
TB

Remove SPAM from e-mail address for direct reply.