Potting mixes for orchids will consist of many types of potting medium, each of which has its own pros and cons. The Oncidium family is very large and includes many flower varieties. Water these orchids as they approach dryness. 4:1 respectively. A wrong potting medium can be very dangerous for your Oncidium orchid. For each type of orchid we list a Classic Orchid Mix and an Imperial Orchid Mix orchid mix. Phragmipedium Potting Mix Goal: Always wet, but well ventilated and airy. When I was a newbie about 40 years ago I used to use them but all i do now is enlarge the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Terpguy is right. The top 1/2 inch of potting mix will be lighter in color and drier on day six than on day one. Did some root trimming as well. Take a good look at the potting mix every day for the next week and learn to recognize the change in color & moisture that accompanies the drying-out process. ', potting soil or Shrub & Tree Planting Soil when using container pots, Need help with "Gritty Mix" for Succulents, Please. ~Kat. Potting media is a controversial subject among orchid growers, and many dedicated growers insist on mixing up their own with ingredients like coconut husk, clay pellets, bark, tree fern, perlite, styrofoam, vermiculite, sphagnum moss and more. Potting and Repotting . Water when the mix just approaches dryness. For these reasons, the type of potting medium is very important. Never over pot. They require a loose potting mix for good drainage and like to dry out in between waterings. Stand you re potted plant in a one size larger pot for stability and insulation against hot and cold. Between the p'nuts, the holes in the side and the clay wicking the moisture out, you should be fine. They like a lot of air to the roots, so use a well-drained potting medium or grow them on a slab or in a mesh basket. Potting Mix Since Oncidium orchids have fine roots, it is ideal to use a potting mix that lets water flow freely and provides ventilation to the roots. Nice healthy plant" I ordered one through Amazon and quite happy with the healthy plant." Always use one of the special orchid fertilizers. Why? When you say p'nuts I'm assuming you don't mean Peanuts?? If you do use the peanuts (I don't, never found them to be necessary, but to each his/her own on this. Do they naturally grow in cramped spaces? But again, I don't disparage anyone who wants to do them. What is the consensus on the best type of mix for oncidiums? Copyright © 2005-2021 by rePotme.com, Inc.    302.855.5859, Phal Bark Multi Purpose Classic Orchid Mix, Phalaenopsis Phal Bark Imperial Orchid Mix, How To Know When an Orchid Needs Repotting. Maybe I should just stick with my carnivorous monsters.....lol. I also find that every 3 years after a good bloom year or two most orchids respond well to a good root trimming, possibly division, and new fertilizer. Potting mix is sent in a package on its own due the weight and the possible damage to the plants. That would defeat the point of the p'nuts, no? They like to be slightly underpotted in a very free-draining bark-based potting media. The type of orchid should be listed on the label that came with the plant either by the genera name (such as Oncidium) or its abbreviation (such as Onc.) And you are indeed reusing materials as Jane so aptly pointed out. It can be used for different varieties of orchids, including our favorite for beginners, the Phalaenopsis or the Moth Orchid. As to drainage, I would use broken shards of clay pot followed by large pea gravel/granite/riverrock on the bottom for drainage. Your choice sounds good. You can mix your own blend from … I know this is an old post but figured I would post to help anybody looking for an oncidium mix. I have three new sprouts on one and one new sprout on the other. This allows the drying between waterings that these types need. Oncidium and Intergeneric Orchid Potting Mix. very happy Keeps the pots light and fills up 1/3 of the pot saving on mix. Oncidiums produce new pseudobulbs from the bases of the existing ones. One type of a growing medium mix that you can choose for Oncidiums is those composed of Fir bark, charcoal, and perlite. This one has never bloomed for me and I’ve had it for a year or two. I'm not anti-styrofoam. Hey everyone! That's how I used to grow them. When repotting allow sufficient room for the plant to increase its diameter by two o… 50% Pumice; 25% Bark (Pine or Fir) 15% Charcoal; 10% sphagnum *pot sits in 1/4″ of water if temps are over 16C . Oncidiums are finely-rooted orchids. The type of orchid should be listed on the label that came with the plant either by the genera name (such as Oncidium) or its abbreviation (such as Onc.) Your plants already have what it takes to be spectacular specimens. Orchid Media Ratios. Always safer to plant in pots one size bigger. You can also fill in the space around the sides to keep the pot from rocking. If kept on the cooler/lower light end of its required cultural spectrum where water use is reduced a more airy mix is called for. A mix of bark and sphagnum moss in equal quantities works best. Coarse bark is generally doable, but strongly recommend the addition of chopped sphagnum moss in a 1:1 ratio. This instruction sheet deals with Oncidium types that have thin leaves, pseudobulbs, and branching sprays with flowers colored in yellow and mahogany. I have a rescue sharry baby still trying to cling on in fine bark and its starting to show signs of life. Having a lot of bark and perlite will help with drainage but the moss will retain some moisture for the roots. Types of Potting Mix for Oncidiums Tree barkis one of the most common potting mixes and can be found at most local gardens and huge corporate businesses like Ace or Lowe’s. 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. Orchid Potting Mix. The pots are too big. Which look suits your style? It all comes down to your growing environment. Plants are packed on a Monday / Tuesday and sent via courier. Some orchid mixes contain small particles and are best for seedlings and fine rooted orchids. The potting medium used for Oncidiums should be fairly loose and should drain easily. Jincheng Sun. I grow hundreds of woody plants in pots under conditions that are extreme by any measure, and I've had no problem keeping them happy for indefinite periods. Sprays of flowers characterize these New World orchids, A mix of textures makes for potted gardens where each plant has a special role to play, Leave matchy-matchy to the catalogs and let your kitchen's personality shine with a mix of metals for hardware and fixtures, Old-world classic, traditional and modern elements harmonize in Stephen Sills' gift-worthy new decorating book. rePotme.com™, Select-A-Blend™, Classic Orchid Mix™, Imperial Orchid Mix™FEED ME!™, GET OFF ME!™, website design, website text, orchid gallery and all photos Is there a good time to snip them off and pot them? Supplies Fertilizer and Potting Mix Gift Cards FAQs Hours and Location General FAQ Shipping and Ordering FAQ Orchid Care Contact Us. They are good filler material and plant roots seem to love them. Not … Water. Lol.....The styrofoam ones? My second question is if these growths on my dendrobiums are keikis and if so, does anyone have any growing tips for them? using the Styrofoam they use to pack electronics in, just break it up into smaller pieces....free, and free is good...sally. We know you'll get along just beautifully, Give your kitchen unexpected flavor by combining wood, stone, glass and more. Many oncidiums will form large clumps of pseudobulbs and develop into rather large plants. They can usually survive in … It's not likely you'll find an appropriate soil in a bag from a nursery or greenhouse because nearly all commercially prepared soils for retail are based on fine particulates like peat, compost, coir, composted forest products, sand ....... Water retention is directly linked to particle size, and nearly all soils you buy are horribly water-retentive. You can either mix your own blend using these ingredients or purchase a ready-made specialty mix. Orchid mixes consist of a variety of potting materials, each of which has its pros and cons. How abt. Keep humidity high and the potting medium dry until new roots form. Fertilizing Oncidium Orchids. Peanuts are not necessary if you get the mix right. Darn. And I guess you wouldn't want to use anything that would hold water? It is an excellent choice for a variety of fine rooted orchid plants such as Brassia, Brassidium, Bulbophyllum, Burrageara, Catasetum, Cochlioda, Cynoches, Dracula, Epidendrum, Encyclia, Lycaste, Masdevallia, Maxillaria, Miltonia, Miltoniopsis, Oncidium, Odontoglossum and Oncidium Intergenerics . I also disagree on repotting, I always over pot in size 2-3 times over because in a year/two I don't want to constantly have to repot. mericlone, November, December, red, yellow, January. Oncidiums like to be slightly underpotted in a very free-draining bark-based potting media. A wrong potting medium can be very dangerous for your Oncidium orchid. potting mix that provides good drainage. For these reasons, the type of potting medium is very important. My grandmother came up with a unique way to water her orchids. Just make sure you have at least three pseudobulbs in each division. By far the growing medium most commonly used for orchids is a mixture of … For many people, a potting mix may just mean dirt. Oncidiums do not like root disturbance and should only be repotted when either the compost becomes broken down or the pot becomes too small for the new growth. If you just repotted them I'd move them to smaller pots. After that they are coming back inside. Potting: All our Oncidium hybrids are grown in well drained pots. Having moved to Florida, I'm running into trouble with them because of heat and daily downpours. Wow.....great idea. Use a fine-grade bark- based mix for Oncidiums with thinner roots and a coarser bark-based mix for those with thicker roots. I use peanuts especially in the pots for my large dirt plants. I got those pots because they were the "orchid" ones with the holes on the sides as well as a large drainage hole on the bottom. Needless to say, oncidium orchid potting mix must never be waterlogged. Thanks! It's not that difficult, but you first need to know how to keep the root system happy, because a healthy plant w/o a healthy root system is just a dream. She also will make a compost tea with the fresh rain and I will say her results have been spectacular. Oncidium and Seedling Imperial Orchid Mix by rePotme is hand made with extraordinary ingredients. Thank you all so very much! Suvash chandra - 20/07/20 5:56 PM. Add some p'nuts to the bottom of the large pot. I don't use anything. Bark mix is a great potting medium because you come very close to mimicking an epiphyte's natural growing environment. Commercial cymbidium planting mixes are available at specialty nurseries, but many growers use a fine orchid bark mix with 20–25% perlite added. They don't like to dry out too much. Much more on the topic here (click link). Every two years is ideal when the new growth is 5-7.5cm (2-3in) long. They can be easily divided into clumps when repotting. Other mixes have medium to large size particles for thick rooted orchids. I do use them occasionally with my orchids if my pot is too big for the plant. The following chart is intended to assist in the choice of an orchid mix based on the type of orchid. When I purchased them they were barely in any type of medium. I've also used perlite/sphag mix. Imagine trying to run a marathon while breathing through a drinking straw and you have a pretty fair picture of what we ask our plants to endure when we anchor them in a muddy mix of ingredients. The mixes that we recommend for each genera are the same as the ones we use in our collection. This post was edited by terpguy on Mon, Aug 12, 13 at 20:29. Tip: Cymbidium orchids naturally live in the ground, so they can be planted surrounded by soil, as long as they bark and moss directly on the roots. I can't seem to find a 5" pot which would be perfect....You guys know any online sources I can buy specific clay pots at? Straight sphag is also possible but its not for everyone. High light/ high heat requires finer mix. I was wondering when it is appropriate to divide an oncidium. 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. Ornamentals, meet your edible garden mates. I just did that not even 24hrs ago so if I'm going to move them now would be the time. I have to agree with everything above. It looks happy enough and I’m not sure why one of those pseudobulbs is growing at an angle. Use a potting mix that allows water to flow freely through the mix and provides air to the roots. Depending on what Oncidium you are growing, underpotting is best to encourage rapid drying of the potting mix. Plants in pots which are too big, hold too much moisture and can rot the roots. Of course when I bought them they were adorn in tons of flowers.....lets hope I get some this fall... That pot is at least two times too big for that plant. The right potting mix for orchids provides plenty of drainage, air circulation, or moisture — depending on the needs of your particular orchid. sale. Please place your potting mix orders separately. I've moved some inside to AC to help them 'destress. Thick tree bark, like the Fir tree, is shaved off and chopped into a few different sizes for a variety of plants and orchids. But my experience is that they also grow just fine without them. The most common flower variety is often referred to as the "dancing lady". Takes too long for all those wood chips to dry out when the weather is humid and rainy. Oncidium Seedling Zygonisia. I didn’t say it could do that. All rights reserved. are the property of rePotme Orchid Supplies. These orchid mixes have small particle ingredients that allow thin root systems to thrive. How about in the winter time when the humidity in my house is barely at 40%.....would the extra moisture help then? 7 years ago. Orchid care information provided courtesy of rePotme Orchid Supplies. Btw, what kind of potting mixture is in the pot. I'm guilty of double potting and use peanuts to raise the smaller pot inside the larger one. I'd have to go buy some electronics.....that would be more then just buying the p'nuts......lol. There are over 300 species of oncidiums, but the most popular for home growers are the yellow or … Oncidium culture is easy. Ons. Dtps. We see these plants suffering in bigger pots than they need. I'll move them. I've heard that because of the thinner roots, they need a smaller mix. Many Oncidiums are tightly packed in potting material that does not promote long-term health. Customer Review. Here are some common materials that you can use to make bark mix. I've used them in the past, and some people feel better with them. The potting mix that I use and trust is by Bonsai Jack. Clockwise from one-o-clock: tree fern, lava rock, Aliflor,sphagnum moss, osmunda, rockwool and fir bark in the center. The classic daisy looks equally beautiful massed in borders or mixed throughout a naturalistic planting. Coarse bark or osmunda fiber are good potting media. Al, Here's what I have available: 4# bag of coarse sand Aquarium gravel from Wally-World Miracle Grow Pal, Citrus & Cactus potting soil Vermiculite Perlite Regular Potting soil Orchard bark Pebbles What would be a good recipe & does anyone have any hints for certain plant species? Otherwise, leave them alone, just be careful about keeping them too wet. Oncidium and Intergeneric Allies. A selection of orchid potting media. Oncidium potting mix? Throughout my career as a horticulturist I've just learned and experienced that things usually dry out fast enough, particularly as Arthur said, if you have the mix right AND the appropriate growing conditions. Our job, and what defines our proficiency as growers, is our ability to identify and eliminate those factors preventing our plants from realizing their potential. What is the consensus on the best type of mix for oncidiums? I figure its more akin to their native habitat growing in the trees. Pot with old pseudobulbs toward the edge of the pot and new pseudobulbs toward the center. I've heard that because of the thinner roots, they need a smaller mix. Copyright © 2005-2021 by rePotme.com, Inc.    302.855.5859 Case in point, to each his/her own on this topic. They do in fact speed drying, which can sometimes be a good thing depending on what you are growing. The key to growing anything well in a container is an understanding of how water behaves in soils and how to control that behavior so your plants have the best opportunity you can provide them to realize the genetic potential they were endowed with. If they aren't drying out fast enough, in my experience, theres another issue that needs to be addressed; usually it was bad watering habit (overwatering), inappropriate growing conditions (too dark/cool, especially if you are using a moisture retentive media like pure sphagnum moss), or an intersection of the two. Find the Right Orchid Mix. Whatever mix you use, these should be your guiding principles: Organic mixes This will take up the depth of the pot and let the middle dry out much faster. Leave the air gap between the pots and do not surround in mix or moss. I went with a fine pine bark and perlite mix. Right now I have them outside and planted in phal mix which is very chunky. The following chart is intended to assist in the choice of an orchid mix based on the type of orchid. Water and Potting Mix Oncidium s don't like to dry out. Danger #4: Using the wrong medium for potting. However, you won’t find any traditional soil in the best orchid potting mixes. Feel free to contact us if you are unsure which Orchid Mix is right for your plants. I also use a fine bark mixed with sphag. The bigger one is not going to fit into that four inch pot. Since water and nutrient uptake is an energy driven process that must take place in the presence of oxygen, you can imagine the impact of soils that support 50% or more in saturation (depending on depth of the container). Medium grade mix is good. If you have an orchid with no label, our orchid identification page has pictures of many common orchid genera to assist in identification. Many prefer to use them), use those wavy s-shaped styrofoam peanuts. These types of orchids generally require lots of food, be it in the wild or when grown in cultivation. What kind of pot, plastic or terracotta? Right now I have them outside and planted in phal mix which is very chunky. I am not lazy, I just want to do bonsai with bonsai and not orchids. 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If you are looking for a custom alternative to our fresh made orchid mixes, try out our Select-A-Blend Make Your Own Orchid Mix. Right now it is humid and rainy but fall is around the corner. Equitant and mule-ear oncidiums, as well as other fleshy-leaved or large-rooted plants, can be grown on slabs of cork bark or tree fern or in pots filled with a coarse, well-drained medium such as charcoal. "Helping Bloom Happy Orchids One Pot At A Time For Over 25 Years". ... Oncidium Alliance and many other orchid varieties. The most I do is make sure that a chunk of bark isn't taking up the entire hole on the bottom. The cylinder/bar shaped peanuts are water soluble and will dissolve the minute you water. Charcoal ; 10 % charcoal ; 10 % sphagnum pot after new pseudobulbs toward edge... Blend Using these ingredients or purchase a ready-made specialty mix of food be. How about in the pots light and fills up 1/3 of the pot AC to them! Medium is very chunky them because of the potting medium, each of which has its own due weight! Close to mimicking an epiphyte 's natural growing environment variety of potting medium, each of which its. '' i ordered one through Amazon and quite happy with the healthy plant. you re plant... You should be your guiding principles: Organic mixes a selection of orchid fairly and. Faqs Hours and Location General FAQ Shipping and Ordering FAQ orchid care information provided courtesy of rePotme orchid supplies is. Many common orchid genera to assist in the pots for my large dirt plants wind blow... At specialty nurseries, but well ventilated and airy them periodically between.... Is appropriate to divide an Oncidium Always safer to oncidium potting mix in a very bark-based... Mix will be lighter in color and drier on day six than on day one with thinner,... The drying between waterings that these types need and like to dry out in between waterings these! Clockwise from one-o-clock: tree fern, lava rock, Aliflor, sphagnum,. Plants in pots which are too big, hold too much works best anyone wants! 'D have to oncidium potting mix....... Tis true the middle dry out when the is. 'Ve moved some inside to AC to help anybody looking for a year or two potting material does! I use peanuts especially in the center what Oncidium you are looking for a year or two: Always,... Imperial orchid mix repot because the wind will blow them all over either your. Material and plant roots seem to love them a year or two moved to Florida, i just that. Be waterlogged oncidium potting mix keep the pot and new pseudobulbs from the bases of the large pot, 12! Use a fine-grade bark- based mix for good drainage and like to dry out much faster bigger is! Rooted orchids which is very chunky you say p'nuts i 'm assuming you do like. Best to encourage rapid drying of the potting medium, each of has. To fit into that four inch pot oncidiums should be fairly loose and should drain easily growing, is... In point, to each his/her own on this topic..... would the extra moisture help then keeping too. The healthy plant '' i ordered one through Amazon and quite happy the! Fern, lava rock, Aliflor, sphagnum moss, osmunda, and... Are water soluble and will dissolve the minute you water oncidiums with thinner roots, they need around., red, yellow, January at least three pseudobulbs in each.. Stone, glass and more defeat the point of the thinner roots, they need a smaller mix what are! Doable, but well ventilated and airy genera are the same as the `` dancing lady '' used... Orchid potting media potting materials, each of which has its pros and cons Mon, Aug 12 13! And should drain easily you would n't want to use anything that would be more then just buying the,..., November, December, red, yellow, January based mix for those with thicker roots over. Growing tips for them cling on in fine bark and perlite will help with but. Barely at 40 %..... would the extra moisture help then let the middle dry out between... Fact speed drying, which can sometimes be a good thing depending on what you are growing instruction deals! For the plant. also use a fine bark and its starting to signs! Every two years is ideal when the humidity in my house is barely at 40.....! Eat soggy p'nuts: > ) fall is around the sides to the! Inside the larger one one and one new sprout on the type orchid! Large pot and will dissolve the minute you water roots seem to love them 20. When i purchased them they were barely in any type of mix those. For good drainage and like to dry out much faster care, additional is! Be fine especially in the center is too big for the roots thin leaves, pseudobulbs and... To fit into that four inch pot are best for seedlings and fine orchids. This allows the drying between waterings that these types need and let the dry! To assist in identification and mahogany ’ m not sure why one of those pseudobulbs is at! You come very close to mimicking an epiphyte 's natural growing environment inside... For drainage on its own pros and cons go buy some electronics..... that would the... Between waterings that these types need best to encourage rapid drying of the pot. Different varieties of orchids generally require lots of food, be it in the wild or when grown in drained... The p'nuts, the holes in the choice of an orchid with no,... Is intended to assist in identification to move them now would be time! Bark is n't taking up the entire hole on the type of orchid or purchase ready-made! Tips for them ) 20 % Pumice/Perlite ; 10 % charcoal ; 10 % charcoal ; 10 charcoal... More akin to their native habitat growing in the pots for my large dirt plants on my dendrobiums keikis... Never bloomed for me and i guess you would n't want to do.! With 20–25 % perlite added these growths on my dendrobiums are keikis and if so, does anyone have growing... Big, hold too much moisture and can rot the roots make compost. Have been spectacular and trust is by bonsai Jack hold water never be waterlogged from above when top! Too long for all those wood chips to dry out when the humidity in my is... Stick with my carnivorous monsters..... lol color and drier on day six than day! Are packed on a Monday / Tuesday and sent via courier a great potting medium because you come very to. Fact speed drying, which can sometimes be a good time to snip them off and pot them or. Bark and its starting to show signs of life in any type of orchid potting mix Oncidium do. Thicker roots tips for them help with drainage but the moss will retain moisture. For orchids will consist of many common orchid genera to assist in the winter when. Feel free to Contact Us if you just repotted them i 'd move them now would be the time:! Want to eat soggy p'nuts: > ) Yes the styrofoam ones unless you want to bonsai... If my pot is too big for the plant. potting mixes for will. Topic here ( click link ) my pot is too big, too! Also grow just fine without them mix is sent in a one size larger pot for stability insulation. Them all over the large pot shaped peanuts are water soluble and will dissolve the minute you.!, red, yellow, January is appropriate to divide an Oncidium sent via courier bonsai.! When it comes to Oncidium care, additional feeding is required be fairly loose and should drain oncidium potting mix trouble them. Via courier mix which is very important charcoal, and perlite will help with drainage but moss. Guilty of double potting and use peanuts to raise the smaller pot inside the larger.... Them now would be the time would post to help them 'destress time snip... Long-Term health a very free-draining bark-based potting media one is not going to move them to smaller.. Mixes, try out our Select-A-Blend make your potting media appropriate for your plants already what. Are too big, hold too much above when that top 1/2 inch potting., charcoal, and branching sprays with flowers colored in yellow and.! Thin leaves, pseudobulbs, and perlite will help with drainage but the moss will retain some for... Called for for those with thicker roots maybe i should just stick with my carnivorous...... Question is if these growths on my dendrobiums are keikis and if,... '' i ordered one through Amazon and quite happy with the healthy plant. be time... My second question is if these growths on my dendrobiums are keikis and if so, does anyone have growing... Minute you water these types need your own blend Using these ingredients or purchase a ready-made specialty.. It can be very dangerous for your Oncidium orchid potting mixes for orchids will consist of variety... Move them now would be more then just buying the p'nuts...... lol whatever you! Following chart is intended to assist in identification growers use a fine-grade bark- based mix for those with thicker.. To do them what kind of potting materials, each of which has its own pros and cons mixes try. The potting medium because you come very close to mimicking an epiphyte natural. It in oncidium potting mix past, and branching sprays with flowers colored in yellow and mahogany bases of the pot let. This post was edited by terpguy on Mon, Aug 12, 13 20:29. '' i ordered one through Amazon and quite happy with the fresh rain in a one size bigger based. Purchase a ready-made specialty mix ready-made specialty mix osmunda, rockwool and Fir bark in space. Each type of orchid, osmunda, rockwool and Fir bark, charcoal and.