Oncidium - help!

[olivia]

I bought what was labelled a "Cambria" in February, at which point it was in bloom. The flowers didn't last for very long and it has not flowered since. I think it is some kind of Oncidium orchid but not sure of the exact name. I have posted these two photos from the internet as they look similar, but as it has not flowered for so long I am not certain. The leaves are quite tall - about 50cm. It has been sowly producing a new pseudobulb, but it is staying really thin rather than widening up, altough it is firm. I have just put the plant outside as I have heard doing this for about 4 weeks can help. Am I doing the right thing? How get I get it to flower agan?

Many thanks!

Olivia.

oncidium.jpg

oncidium-mauigold.jpg

[tom499]

I have one very similiar flowering now. It produced two new bulbs, and then flowered from those. It does take time im afraid, there should be culture sheets for your plant, an oncidium on this site, follow those and it should flower for you soonish.

[fred]

ho olivia

welcome to the forum
you can download the Culture sheet from the Amarican Orchid Society
http://www.aos.org/aos/orchids/page01.aspx

Also for us to give you the right advice could you go into your user settings and update your Profile with your Geographical Location.

[pikevi]

Welcome to the forum, Olivia.

I live in Ontario and I have the Cyms. and the Ons. outside under the sun behind a hanging mesh ( used in screen doors). They are doing well.

I am not sure of the effect of the direct sun on them. I think it will help if we know where you are residing.

[kmarch]

Hi Olivia and welcome to the forum.

Your orchid is a member of the Oncidium Alliance.

Go to the American Orchid Society website (www.aos.org) and download a free culturesheet on Oncidiums. The culture and care of your plant will be the same as as is outlined on the Oncidium culture sheet.

I'm glad you posted because your post reveals a rather serious problem regarding the treatment of orchid names. The name "Cambria" is not a real orchid name at all. It's neither a scientific name nor a common name. It is a name that is used commercially (Mostly in Europe) to refer to a whole array of both infrageneric and intergeneric hybrids in the Oncidium Alliance. Vuylstekeara, Beallara, Burrageara, and Oncidium, are just a few of the genera referred to collectively as "Cambria" orchids. What they do is they just drop the proper, correct generic name and replace them all with "Cambria" as if "Cambria" were the genus. It's a pointless and silly practice. the nurseries could just as easily retain the proper name of the plants. Get rid of the "Cambria" tag unless there is a proper name on the tag and replace it with one that says somethign like "Oncidium hybrid" or something similar.

Your plant, more specifically, looks like an Oncidium hybrid.

Let us know if you have additional questions!

Happy Growing!

[olivia]

Thank you everyone for your advice! I have updated my profile with my location - am in th UK. I have found the oncidium culture sheet so will have a good read of it.

The place where I have put the orchid for now is outside but slightly in the shade of other plants, and the sun seems to have forgotten the UK this summer so it isn't too hot anyway! Let's hope those bulbs start swelling up soon.