Oncidium ornithorhynchum culture advice?

[Val]

I "specialize" in Phalaenopsis, but I couldn't resist buying an Oncidium ornithorhynchum (some 3 months ago). It has spent all this time outside, it's doing great and now has some 10 spikes in various stages of budding. It looks like the first blooms are going to open in a week or two.

My question is: when will I be able to bring it indoors to enjoy it's flowers and fragrance?

Right now the temperature outside is around 15C (60F) during the day and 7C (45F) during the night. The longer I keep it outside, the lower the temperature will be and the higher the contrast with my indoors temperature (21-23C / 70-73F, with the coolest spot around 18-20C/64-68F).

Basically I want to avoid bud blast. Do I need to wait untill most of the buds have bloomed? If I bring it inside now, is there a high risk of bud blasting?

Many thanks in advance.

[isurus79]

Anytime you move a plant in bud, you run the risk some flowers either being twisted or blasting. But those temperatures sound really chilly! I don't think 45 degrees is warm enough for this guy! When I grew this one, it bloomed just about all year long, so I wouldn't worry if some blooms fall off. It will be blooming again soon and its pretty likely that most of your blooms on the plant now will be fine.

[silken]

Mine is in bloom now too. I brought it in from the greenhouse when the first of 3 spikes was almost fully open. It hasn't seemed to mind. It was getting quite warm days in the 80's and then nights to maybe 60 and now its in the house at about 72. The 2nd spike is now fully open.

I'm assuming you are referring to the pink or purple flowered one. If so, it was actually re-named Onc. sotoanum and the other name actually belongs to a small yellow and brown flower. Apparently the wrong photo was attached when the registration was sent in which resulted in this purple flower being mis-named for years. It is still commonly called and sold as ornythorhynchum but thought you might want to know its real name (if in fact its the pink one you refer to).

I hope you post pics when this blooms as it sounds like it will be impressive!

[Val]

Thank you Steve and Silken. I brought it in and it doesn't seem to mind. All the buds are swelling continuously. I can't wait!

Silken: very interesting piece of info. I had no idea. My oncidium is supposed to be an Onc. sotoanum. I'll have the confirmation soon and I'll be happy to post some pics.

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by silken

Mine is in bloom now too. I brought it in from the greenhouse when the first of 3 spikes was almost fully open. It hasn't seemed to mind. It was getting quite warm days in the 80's and then nights to maybe 60 and now its in the house at about 72. The 2nd spike is now fully open.

I'm assuming you are referring to the pink or purple flowered one. If so, it was actually re-named Onc. sotoanum and the other name actually belongs to a small yellow and brown flower. Apparently the wrong photo was attached when the registration was sent in which resulted in this purple flower being mis-named for years. It is still commonly called and sold as ornythorhynchum but thought you might want to know its real name (if in fact its the pink one you refer to).

I hope you post pics when this blooms as it sounds like it will be impressive!

I did not know about the rename. When did this happen?

[silken]

Originally Posted by Pilot

I did not know about the rename. When did this happen?

From the article linked below it sounds rather recent (2010). It's interesting that it notes Onc. sotoanum is responsible for the chocolate scent in Sharry Baby. I was just smelling mine and saying I can't put a name to the scent but wouldn't be surprised if it contributed to the chocolate scent! I guess I was onto something

Oncidium sotoanum ssp. papalosmum, by any other name... | Facebook