Oncidium/Colmanara

[edgy]

I have two plants that are really concerning to me now.....The first is an Oncidium noid. Ive had this one for just over three years now. It came to me as one pb with roots. The second is a Colmanara Wildcat 'Panther' also aquired at the same time, one pb with roots. Both have had at least 5 or more new growths since then and still no blooms. I have them in an east facing window taking full morning sun up into the afternoon then light gets filtered. The Colmanara has a new growth growing now...still not out of the leaf yet and you can see the purple at the top of the pb. The Oncidium also has purple in the leafs so my guess is that they are getting enough light. What time of the year do these usually bloom. Do I need temps to drop significantly to get them to spike? Do I need to stress them? I have to be close to blooming now right? As always, your help is greatly appreciated.

[otis 226]

Both are really nicely grown plants, guy. Hope someone with the experience comes along and can help you get them to bloom. (I want to say they may need a cold snap, but that would just be me guessing ).
Good Growing,
Tony

Whatever you are doing is right, Dude...please do not stress it...just let it be...it will bloom pretty soon...it is presently busy growing leaves and roots...

[sunshine]

They look very healthy and just aren't mature enough to bloom.

[pikkumyy]

so this is a first ive heard of onc.'s needing to have/having purple on the p bulbs, should mine?

[katrina]

Originally Posted by pikkumyy

so this is a first ive heard of onc.'s needing to have/having purple on the p bulbs, should mine?

Michael -- some will turn a bit purple-y if given high light...others will not. So, no, they don't need it to bloom.

Your best bet is to focus on the leaf color. A deep, dark green leaf says the plant isn't getting enough sun...too much yellow means the plant is getting too much light and is at risk of burn. Shoot for a medium, bright green leaf color. I know that is an abstract description but it's the best I can do w/out any pics.

I don't grow these type of Oncids anymore but I found many were happiest and bloomed best sitting next to my catts. Very high light. Some of the smaller ones like Twinkle did better in a bit less light. Maybe that descriptor helps more.

[pikkumyy]

that descriptor works perfectly katrina (i actually have a twinkle )

[edgy]

I have a twinkle right next to the both of them growing gang busters.....it has 12-15 spikes growing right now, not yet in bloom. I just don't get it.

[Dendian]

Here is my two cents worth.

One Pbulb is not enough to bloom - and when people divide them down to this it puts the plant into growth stage - not bloom stage. It can take many years before it gets the three large mature pbulbs it wants to bloom - under home conditions. In the commercial grower world they super-fertilize them with different combinations and change temperatures to make them grow and bloom earlier. This can also stress the plant out - and make the next unforced bloom a few years away as they recover.

Your leaves look light enough to me - so I don't think light is a factor. I think it is the lack of large mature Pbulbs to give it the energy to bloom - or something else.

The first one looks close.. it may bloom on the largest pbulb when it has finished maturing. The second one doesn't look close - I only see one large pbulb. Is that the last one it grew (close to bloom size) or is that the original divided one?

Twinkle is a mini - those teeny finger sized pbulbs are fully mature pbulbs. It is also a very fast grower and can bloom multiple times.. the others are not - and do not.

I just had my Sand. Pacific Black Star bloom - and it was off a HUGE pbulb - about as big as the palm of my hand.

As long as your pbulbs are getting progressively larger as they grow - then you have a good chance to see flowers soon. If the new growths are growing smaller then there is something wrong.

These also like to be root bound (small pot) so maybe there just isn't enough roots/growths in the pot to make it bloom?

Oh boy - I think that might have been ten cents worth...

[edgy]

Thanks Dian.....you know, I've been thinking about pot size also....The second one is actually the 5th PB grown on this plant....each one has been increasingly larger. The first is working on it's 7th from the original 1st PB. Neither is root bound....and I'd say the Colmanara, although it is growing great roots, is probably the one with the most space still available in the pot. Should I find a smaller pot for it or let it sit. They are both growing and putting out new roots.....maybe I should take my own advice...be patient, let them grow.

[Dendian]

Sounds like they are growing correctly - I would let them sit - and you are right - patience is the key

[edgy]

OK...well this is just crazy. I went back and was looking at the Colmanara the growth was just starting to poke out of the leaf. I opened it just a little to peek in and SUPRISE! It's a spike not a new pb as I had thought......This is a great day! I've been waiting a long time for this little friend to produce a flower. Now I'll just cross my fingers and wait. Maybe this means the Onc's time is just around the corner.

[pikkumyy]

Originally Posted by edgy

I have a twinkle right next to the both of them growing gang busters.....it has 12-15 spikes growing right now,

mine only has four

[Dendian]

Excellent!

I think you may be right about the Onc... they bloom off of the sides of mature pbulbs.. so when it matures.. be on the lookout!

[orchids4me]

I agree with the member that mentioned # of p/b's. I don't think these are big enough yet right now . Give them some time they will give you a show