Did I Do That? Oncidium Flower Spike!

12 years ago

Just when I thought my orchids would not flower for me, I see this on my weekly Saturday plant inspection! This was my $5 "Mystery Orchid" I bought from a local greenhouse last April, (Mike knows which one.) I believe it is a "Sharry Baby," as that is what most of their Oncidiums were, but soon I shall know for sure. What a nice surprise!

Christopher

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

summersunlight
12 years ago
Congrats. I just picked up a Sharry Baby a few weeks ago. Any growing tips? :)
kaktuskris
Original Author
12 years ago
There are some people who know a lot more than I do about orchids on the Orchid Forum.

But as for my personal experience, I put my Oncidium not too far from a south facing window where it gets some full sun each day. I water it thoroughly once a week, and keep it in a clay pot in a bark mix. Remember, as with all houseplants, more orchids die from overwatering than any other cause, so when in doubt, don't! Best of luck with yours!

Christopher
Related Discussions
Mini Oncidium Dropping Flowers!
Q
Comments (21)
I grow Tolumnias, Rodrigezias, and oncidiums but haven't had any that were hybrids but that shouldn't matter in this case. Some of my Rods are very short bloomers often losing the first flowers before the last buds open, but my Tols usually keep thier flowers for a couple of weeks after the last buds open. I wouldn't be too concerned about the flowers at this time though. The biggest problem I see is the condition of the plant itself. Have you checked the roots yet? There shoud be a lot of White roots throughout the medium. I've found that mounting these gys is the best way to grow them. It allows the roots to dry very quikly but also makes it eadsy to mist the roots on a very regular schedual. You say you have a flourescent light on the plant but you don't mention how bit the light is or how close it is to the plant. I grow all of mine in Bright Cattaleya light levels about 4 inches below my CFL bulbs. They love it there, Putting out several new growths per year and the spikes that go with them. If your Orchids takes after the Tolumnias the most then it should rebloom from the old spike several times a year before the spike turns yellow and dies. THe most I've gotten was 8 branching reblooms off of a single spike. And I leave mine under the bright lights all the time. I sronly suggest that you mount your new orchid and give it Lots of light, this should help to bring it around pretty soon. If you can do this eventually the leaves should plump back up. The yellow ones will probably fall off but new growth should start soon if you are giving it enough light and watering it correctly. Lightly Fertilize it once a week and use distilled water or RO water the rest of the time as many of the Tolumnias can't handle salt build-up very well. Often times the Tolumnias I buy look horrible soon after I get them untill they get used to thier new home but with the proper care they recover fairly quikly and thrive. I hope that some of this will help, and if you have any other questions feel free to email me and I'll do the best I can to answer them for you. (huntaustx@yahoo.com) Adam
...See More
how do i maintain a flowering spike
Q
Comments (4)
Jumbo, you should at least put in the state where you are in "My Page details " and when taking note of all the mostly good advice here take note of where the poster lives. I have at least half a dozen starting new spikes and have never had any problems growing spikes to flowering in past years. The key sentence is in the post from orchid126 about the orchid being comfortable where you are. i do run the air conditioning system for an hour or two at night. but that doesn't seem to do harm because the house is open plan and the vents are not near the orchids which are not moved from windowsills during winter. Much below 12C and Cold and Wet will give you problems but other than that and especially if you can get some gentle filtered sunlight on the leaves, you should do fine.
...See More
What do I do about frozen spike plants?
Q
Comments (2)
Thank you Esh, I guess I'll wait a bit (it's supposed to be 17 degrees out again tonight) and I'll check them in the Spring. Thank you for your response! CM.
...See More
Oncidium New Young Spike Dead
Q
Comments (2)
That's depending of the plant i broke one spike of my oncidium and 3 weeks later another came from another pseudobulb. But depends of the plant age too.
...See More
tommyr_gw Zone 6
12 years ago
Sharry baby = CHOCOLATE SMELLS! Great plant!
meyermike_1micha
12 years ago
Chris!!! No way?

I am so happy for you buddy! Look at that plant. You have done a remarkable job and all without a greenhouse too! You should see my 5 dollar one that bloomed. It smells so heavenly. I never thought I could do it. In fact, I have two, and the other just wants to grow leaves.lol

Chris, you should try a Star Twinkle if you like that one. Even sweeter than a Sharry and it flowers throughout the whole year. They are easy to re-flower and not fussy at all. I LOVE this one. I will take a pic for you:-)

It's beautiful Chris. Now imagine growing a few of them from trees in the tropics?

Hello Tom. Let me know if any of you want to go to the next succulent meeting next month as a guest of mine at the Tower Hill Botanical Center.

Mike
kaktuskris
Original Author
12 years ago
Hi Mike!

Yes, way! I am very surprised,of course. Sure hope it IS a Sharry Baby, want that lovely fragrance! So glad I picked this up!!! So you got those two from Lake Street as well? Now that I know I can get an Oncidium to flower again, I'm ready for another one! At a good price, of course! Would love to see more photos of your orchids, Mike!

Christopher
meyermike_1micha
12 years ago
Hello Chris!

Yes, I am very proud of you and yes, Lake Street all the way. I was told getting mine to bloom the following year would be a challenge since they push them real hard to sell when we buy them, but we proved them wrong, right?

Here you go, ask and you shall receive. If I ever should move to the tropics, I will take them all with me:-)

My Golden Tang.

{{gwi:75226}}

Fragrant orchids from here down.

{{gwi:75228}}

{{gwi:75230}}

{{gwi:75232}}

This one is just starting to open. It will smell like vanilla

{{gwi:75234}}

This one smells like chocolate.

{{gwi:75236}}

This is the one I was telling you about. It smells like vanilla/chocolate cake. Yummy.

{{gwi:75238}}

These are some of my Cattleya's I am still waiting to flower and some seedlings. Everyone of them will be fragrant.

{{gwi:75240}}

{{gwi:75242}}

{{gwi:75244}}

{{gwi:75246}}

There is just a few Chris. I think I am going to exhaust all the room in my greenhouse. But, there are so many orchids you can fit in places nothing else will go:-)

Mike
kaktuskris
Original Author
12 years ago
Very impressive, my friend! Three of your photos are of Zygopetalum, photos 2, 3, 4. One is similar to mine I posted photos of. I have to say, Mike, I prefer the colour of the Sharry Baby over the paler vanilla/chocolate cake one you have, but I am sure the fragrance is superb. I am so envious!

Christopher
meyermike_1micha
12 years ago
Thanks Chris!@!

I LOVE the Zygopetalum Chris. They smell so exotic and permeate the entire room I walk in. Where was I when these were out?lol

Oh yes, the color of the 'Shary Baby' is much more vivid, but the other has an INTENSE sweet fragrance and flowers all year! I LOVE this orchid. Love the both actually.

Wait until you see the three beautiful orchids a VERY kind member on the orchid forum gave me. That member has a HUGE heart heart for sure.

Hope you are having a great day Chris and that this snow and our stresses melt away fast for sure:-)
jessiec777
12 years ago
How exciting Chris....do post pictures when it blooms!

Gorgeous collection you have there Mike!
kaktuskris
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, Jessie.

Mike, eager to see those three orchids you are talking about. As for mine, how long do you think it takes from the appearance of the flower spike, to the actual blooming?

Sure wasn't ready for this snow, after such a snow-free winter previous to this storm. Hope the rain this Saturday washes it all away.

Christopher
kaktuskris
Original Author
12 years ago
So can anyone give me an idea of how long after the appearance of the flower spike that the buds will begin to open?

Thanks.

Christopher
Orchid_Lover56
11 years ago
Yo all,

Recently got myself a sharry baby an 2 csttleyas and can't wait for them to bloom. Baby has about an 18" Spike and can't wait for blooms. I live in montana. What do I need to do to keep the pseudobulbs from shriveling up. And like christopher about how long before I see blooms? It is growing about half an inch a day. How much water should I give it? Sorry for all the questions. Nice to find an active group. Photo 1 is when I got it.
Like mikes photos too

Lloyd

Did I Do That? Oncidium Flower Spike!

Comments (12)

summersunlight

kaktuskris
Original Author

Related Discussions

tommyr_gw Zone 6

meyermike_1micha

kaktuskris
Original Author

meyermike_1micha

kaktuskris
Original Author

meyermike_1micha

jessiec777

kaktuskris
Original Author

kaktuskris
Original Author

Orchid_Lover56

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Did I Do That? Oncidium Flower Spike!

Comments (12)

summersunlight

kaktuskrisOriginal Author

Related Discussions

tommyr_gw Zone 6

meyermike_1micha

kaktuskrisOriginal Author

meyermike_1micha

kaktuskrisOriginal Author

meyermike_1micha

jessiec777

kaktuskrisOriginal Author

kaktuskrisOriginal Author

Orchid_Lover56

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

kaktuskris
Original Author

kaktuskris
Original Author

kaktuskris
Original Author

kaktuskris
Original Author

kaktuskris
Original Author