My equitant onc refuses to rest...

[prisana]

Hi guys, I have this mini onc. that's an equitant. It's supposed to be resting after flowering so I was giving it very little water. A couple of weeks ago, it decided to grow 2 new growths and I was wondering if I gave it too much water for the rest period than it needed . It's hard to determind what causes the growth period to start when it's only been a month since it finished blooming ..Can anyone tell me why it's doing this ? Thanks

[kmarch]

Prisana,

I enjoy seeing those cute little potted and mounted equitants, but I'm afraid I have only ever grown one and I didn't do that very well. It died quickly after I rebloomed it. I seem to recall others mentioning them so there should be some helpful posts (unlike this one) in your near future.

[prisana]

That's ok Kevin, good thing you mentioned you've seen the post about it somewhere, I shall try to look for it..Thank you.

[Ellen]

Equitant Oncidiums (aka Tolumnias) don't really have a dormant period, so can bloom and/or produce new growths at any time. They'll also continue to produce more branches from an old spike, so don't cut the spikes after they bloom once. I have a number of different varieties, all of which I grow mounted, and they're some of my favorite orchids. Although they can bloom year round, I think their peak season is in spring, so yours is just doing what comes naturally. It sounds like your plant loves what you're doing, so just let it bloom and grow, and enjoy it. If it gets exhausted, it will stop and rest.

[prisana]

Hi Ellen, Thank you for your response. I was toatally under the impression that equitants need rest periods after blooming. The book I read said that they do. Maybe it's a misprint.. I also didn't know it can flower from old spike either . I think I might just stop reading orchid books altogether, haven't had much luck with them. I'll keep giving it the same treatment like you said, since it seems to like it. Also good to know it blooms year-round. Thanks Ellen.