Onc. spikes - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 12-07-2010, 01:07 PM

Hi everyone,
My Oncidium Sweet Ears has finished blooming and I'm unclear as to whether I should cut the spikes down near the plant or leave them as they are.

I can't recall positively, but it seems that I have read in the past that Onc. spikes should not be completely removed because future blooms blossum on these old spikes. ?? Is this the case or am I to cut them off down near the plant base, as I always do with Phals.

I would appreciate your advice.

By the way...and not pertaining to my question...I bought Sweet Ears about 2 (?) yrs. ago, not in bloom. I'm happy that it has now bloomed in my care. I guess I just wanted to share my pretty blooms. Thanks for looking.
Vicki

RosieC · #2 12-07-2010, 02:08 PM

I would be interested to know. I've previously cut them right back and new ones have later grown, but it would be interesting to know if leaving them could give more blooms.

got ants · #3 12-07-2010, 02:11 PM

Most of my Oncidiums DO NOT rebloom on old spikes. "sweet sugar" "sharry baby" "brassias" etc..

However, most of my Tolumnias do rebloom. If your plant has a Tol as one of its parents, it may in fact rebloom.

I would let it go for the time being, and if it starts to turn brown, cut it off. Once I have a feeling for a plant, and think it won't rebloom, I cut the spike off before the last flower falls off. I cut close to the end of the shaft, but not all the way down. Then I use a mix of cinamon and Elmers glue to seal the cut.

RosieC · #4 12-07-2010, 02:19 PM

That's interesting. Vicki's 'Sweet Ears' is a hybrid of 'Sweet Sugar' so it is likely to not rebloom on existing spikes I guess.

My two are Sweet Sugar and Sharry Baby so sounds like mine won't either.

Alyons · #5 12-07-2010, 03:36 PM

I received a free Tol. Genting Sunray from a grower and they always left the old spikes on them. I thought about cutting it off because the plant was in bad shape as it was, but left it on to see what would happen. A few weeks later a single bud started growing in the middle of the spike and it rebloomed.

BTW congrats on the bloom

tucker85 · #6 12-07-2010, 04:24 PM

My oncidiums have never bloomed again from the same spike. Having said that, I often just let the spike stay on the plant until it dries up and turns brown. By the way, that's a very nice greenhouse. I'm jealous.

FairyInTheFlowers · #7 12-07-2010, 06:07 PM

OOOH, what was that Brassavola like flower I saw in the background? I LOVE the rigid sepals and petals!

camille1585 · #8 12-07-2010, 06:29 PM

Everyone has pretty much covered the Onc spike question, but I just wanted to say that your greenhouse is awesome! Would you mind sharing some more pics of the inside of your GH? I'd love to see it!

VickiC · #9 12-07-2010, 08:20 PM

Thanks for your help.

You also answered another question that I had planned to ask sometime later...what to do about my Tolumina spikes - so thanks for advising me on that one, too.

As for whether my Sweet Ears has Tolumnia in it's parentage, I have no idea. I have two tiny ones, but the tags on both are very hard to read and both ae partly broken, as well (cheap plastic lol).

Thanks again for your reply and advice,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by got ants

Most of my Oncidiums DO NOT rebloom on old spikes. "sweet sugar" "sharry baby" "brassias" etc..

However, most of my Tolumnias do rebloom. If your plant has a Tol as one of its parents, it may in fact rebloom.

I would let it go for the time being, and if it starts to turn brown, cut it off. Once I have a feeling for a plant, and think it won't rebloom, I cut the spike off before the last flower falls off. I cut close to the end of the shaft, but not all the way down. Then I use a mix of cinamon and Elmers glue to seal the cut.

VickiC · #10 12-07-2010, 08:33 PM

That's wonderful.....your plant was apparently thanking you for helping it through it's crisis by rewarding you with a nice bloom.

That's a good example to remind me not to forget to leave their spikes in place.
Thanks for your help,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alyons

I received a free Tol. Genting Sunray from a grower and they always left the old spikes on them. I thought about cutting it off because the plant was in bad shape as it was, but left it on to see what would happen. A few weeks later a single bud started growing in the middle of the spike and it rebloomed.

BTW congrats on the bloom