How I care for "mule ear" Trichocentrums (syn. Oncidiums)

ALL my orchids featured in my videos are grown outdoors year-round in a sub-tropical climate.
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The plants featured in the video are
Trichocentrum (Trt.) Ollie Palmer (Trt. Maureen x Trt. x haematochilum)
Trt. lanceanum
Trt. carthagenensis
Trt. undulatum

[@lyndamodeste7902]

Love your videos and all your orchids, beautiful . Thanks for the great information

[@orchidhouse]

😊😊

[@jodeming5088]

I enjoy your video’s and seeing your collection. Thank you for the valuable information.

[@orchidhouse]

Thank you for watching and please subscribe if you haven't yet.

[@markvaldes2937]

The difference in the thickness of the lanceanum roots compared to the trichocentrum undulatum is impressive. It makes sense why the undulatum roots are so sensitive to rot! I picked a decent sized plant from RF orchids in miami and have been very careful to let the plant dry out before thinking of watering.

[@orchidhouse]

They really are all very rot prone! You seem to be doing exactly what is needed: let them dry out each time!

[@PC-zg3eo]

Great video! Thank you!

[@orchidhouse]

Thank you!

[@chrisspence3993]

Always enjoy your videos, you're an amazing grower. Do you buy the wood you mount on or is it driftwood? If it is driftwood how do you prepare it for mounting...ie soaking, disinfcting...etc

[@orchidhouse]

Thank you 🤩.
This is driftwood that I bought. It had to be treated but I am not sure how. The people who made these gorgeous pieces quit working last year. It is very extensive work to get to this result.

[@yolantalachance2779]

Great information what about fertilizer? Do they like it a lot?

[@orchidhouse]

Oncidium alliance orchids are among the least hungry orchids. So fertilizing once a month is probably good enough. It is not critical.

[@Blooms-n-Rambles]

Now I'm sure why mine died.. it started shedding leaves and I thought it was drying out so I kept watering it.. it died within a week. I got another one about four months ago and the only water it gets is from the rain. Amazingly, it's sending out a lot of roots. I absolutely won't be watering it at all!

[@orchidhouse]

You can water it but they have to dry out in between watering. SUper drought tolerant. Good luck!!! Those are beautiful orchids!

[@Blooms-n-Rambles]

@@orchidhouse Thanks.. I'll try, but very cautiously! 😊

[@patsfreund9164]

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with the "mule ear" Trichocentrums. I just purchased one last month. I've been trying to water it sparingly. So far so good. I would like to plant it in the tree fern medium. Do you have any advice as to when might be the proper time to do that?

[@orchidhouse]

You should wait until you have new roots starting to grow. Do it right when they start growing as you don't want to damage them!!

[@patsfreund9164]

@@orchidhouse Merci bien! I looked at the plant yesterday and noticed it is sprouting some new roots. I will wait a few more weeks to let them get larger. Appreciate that you take the time to answer.

[@orchidhouse]

Any time .....but you should repot NOW if they start sprouting. If you wait you risk damaging them.
@@patsfreund9164

[@patsfreund9164]

@@orchidhouse Okay. It's on my agenda for today. Will do it later.

[@marylalone7104]

I re-watched your video on tree fern fiber in which you talk about using TFF only as a media, and the Orchids magazine article you mention also only talks about using it alone. So I have a question for you. Have you ever mixed TFF with bark as a media? And if so, what is your experience and/or thoughts about mixing it, say half & half with orchiata? I'm thinking of doing this with my dends that seem to need moisure as well as drainage, 1) because TFF is kind of pricey, and 2) orchiata might promote drainage. Your thoughts?

[@orchidhouse]

I have not, but you should never shy away from trying new stuff.
This being said, I feel that TFF provides plenty of aeration of the root system and extra drainage is not necessary. If you try it and you like it, please share with me and everybody else:)
Thank you for paying close attention :)))

[@Vintageswallows]

How often if at all do you fertilize the Ollie Palmer? I have one that I bought online a month ago. All of the older roots were rotten when I got it but it had a new growth so new roots have just started growing off of that, thankfully. I have it potted in lava rock with a layer of sphag at the top.

[@orchidhouse]

I don't fertilize oncidium alliance orchids very often.
As to your new Ollie Palmer, monitor it very closely a it is trying to come back

[@claramoreno8456]

Thanks for the information. Where do you buy your media??

[@orchidhouse]

From a local Orchid supply store called Green Barn in Delray Beach. It has become more available recently in the US.

[@claramoreno8456]

@@orchidhouse perfect, I do go there as well.... thank you

[@orchidhouse]

Excellent!@@claramoreno8456