Oncidiums

[shau4414]

Is this a hard plant to grow? I want an orchid that is easy to bloom. I have orchids and there alive and healthy, but they haven't bloomed for me. Thanks

[janet_a]

where are you located, and what kind of exposure are your plants in? this will help us opine on what kinds of plants you should get.

[mayres]

Funny you should ask this question. I was just talking with someone else about these (oncidiums) today. I know in some areas (such as in Florida) these are often grown as outdoor plants and become absolutely huge with thousands of flowers. For me they are one of the most difficult orchids (of the 10-12 genera I grow) to bloom indoors under lights and/or in windows - they seem to grow like weeds, but infrequently bloom - not sure, but I think chances are I am not providing enough light? If your leaves are dark green you might be experiencing the same (just a thought?). Can you also update your profile so that we can see where you live (as janet asks) - it can affect the advice that many will have to offer.

[jay]

Hi and welcome to the forum. You mentioned that you have orchids already but they won't bloom. What kind do you have? Maybe we can help with some tips to get them to bloom again for you.

As everyone said, it would help to know where you are located since we are from all over the world with very different growing environments. That way we don't give you bad advise for an orchid that just won't do well where you live.

Look forward to hearing about your orchids.

[shau4414]

I live in Northwest Fl, on the gulf coast. And I take it back, I do have an orchid that blooms, its mounted and stays outside, and I don't know what it is. I am only sure about the names of 2 of my plants, they are Dend aggregatum and a Onc Pacific Sunrise 'Hakalau'. I also have a phal and 2 other dends. Currently most of my plants are in an eastern exposure with bright light.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by shau4414

[Oncidium] Is this a hard plant to grow? I want an orchid that is easy to bloom. I have orchids and there alive and healthy, but they haven't bloomed for me.

Any orchid can be "easy" or "difficult" to grow and flower depending on whether or not it gets the culture it needs. Even the "easiest" orchid willnot grow and flower if it doesn't have the conditions (light, water, temperature, etc) that it needs.

Having said that, there are lots of orchids that need conditions similar to what most of us have in our homes. Oncidiums are among them. Some of the most frequently flowering (about 2 times a year) Ondiciums I have has are:
Odontocidium Susan Kaufman
Odontocidium Tiger Barb
Odon'tocisium Wildlcat

These should also be pretty easy to find.

[articuno75]

I find Oncidiums to be one of the easiest to grow. More so than Phals.

You don't have to be as stringent when it comes to watering like Phals and you don't have to worry about overwatering near as much as you would Catts.

Oncidiums do like bright, diffused light. More than what you would give a Phal.

Do read the culture sheet for Oncidiums if you do decide to get one. You can find the information here on the forum and on the AOS website.

[Orchidementia]

I agree with articuno75 - they're easy for me (especially Miltonias - my theory is since they look pansies, they don't know they're orchids!) but I live in a cool/intermediate orchid-friendly climate, and I can grow them outside (which is even easier than growing them indoors for me). I suggest getting the culture sheet and seeing if you meet the needs, and if so, get an onc alliance that you like and try it. They're tough little plants - if you've got the right light, why not?

[Tommyr]

I find them easy too, I grow them in pure LFS moss. They spend the summer outside then after a few weeks in the fall they come back in and go into south and west windows.

I am a Phal killer.