Orchid ID

[elbie]

I have mostly phalaenopsis orchids, but I did acquire the one pictured here. I have tried to id but am not sure I have it right. I really like the orange/brown coloring. It blooms quite often.
Thanks for your help.
Elbie

[Louis_W]

Its an intergeneric oncidium hybrid.

Odontocidium Catatante perhaps... You can never be certain without a tag but it looks close. If you follow the culture it should be all good!

[WaterWitchin]

I agree with Louis. I have a Oncostele Catatante ‘Pacific Sunspots’ and a 'Orange Kiss' that look just like it. Prolific bloomer. And I see you cut the ends off many of the leaves. So do I... ratty leaves seem to also be prolific on it.

This year the 'Orange Kiss' is blooming on the last of four spikes, and it's a really weird color. It seems to have stronger color some years and others very faded coloring. No idea why, but this year the blooms look so faded it's hard to tell whether it's in full bloom or getting ready to drop blooms unless you get up close to it. Not one of its prettier blooms.

[elbie]

Is it true that the bulbous area (pseudobulb?) that the leaves come from will only produce one spike ever and new spikes require new bulbs? If that is the case, the pot is becoming rather crowded with bulbs. I am afraid to do anything since it looks like the various bulbs are attached to each other, and the plant does keep blooming. I also read that these types of orchids like high humidity. I am in WY. Humidity does not exist here.(LOL) Should I try to raise humidity or leave well enough alone.
Thanks for advice. Elbie

[Roberta]

The "bulbs" (psedobulbs) are indeed attached - that's the plant. They do grow... orchids do like to be somewhat potbound. Eventually, though, repotting is necessary, both because the plant has outgrown the pot, and more importantly, the medium breaks down and loses the vital air spaces.

When you repot, you can just go to a pot a bit larger - allow room for about 2 years' growth no more. Eventually you may want to divide, but not until you can be sure that each division has at least 3 psedobulbs, and new growth. Also, in the Oncidium group, the oldest growths may shrivel - they lose their roots eventually. Those can be removed, again as long as you have plenty of fat, healthy pseudobulbs. . Phalaenopsis grow mostly upward from a single growth point (monopodial growth habit). Oncidiums, Cattleyas, Dendrobiums and many others grow along a rhizome (sympodial growth) and so climb out of their pots, that's natural. These should be repotted only when producing new growth (and new roots)

[elbie]

Thank you