Oncidium growth cycle

[Ericj831]

Hello everyone,

I have a question in regards to my odontocidium catatante 'Kiluea Karma'. From what i have read, it is a (sphacelatum x wildcat). I rescued it about a year and a half ago from a nursurey without flowers. Its recovered nicely and has grown about 5 new Pbulbs. A few of them certainly look fully matured and i have noticed an explosion of root growth.

I am a little surprised that i havent seen any flower spikes yet. Shouldn't i have seen flower spikes by now? Or is it normal for spikes to develop a month or so after Pbulb maturity?

[Ray]

In order to bloom, a plant must produce and sock away a good store of nutrition and fuel. If the growing conditions are less than optimal, that may take a little longer.

Be patient; it sounds like the plant is moving in the right direction.

[Roberta]

Also, consider light... grown indoors, it may not be getting enough, or for enough hours. If you need to grow indoors (if you aren't in southern Florida or in coastal southern California) consider using a fluorescent or LED light 12 hours per day - and put it outside (filtered sun or bright shade) once night temperatures are consistently above 50 deg F. (A good temperature difference between day and night can also help blooming)

[Ericj831]

Yeah i did keep it outside when i could. I also kept it inside a DIY grow tent with LEDs, but the temp difference wasnt enough in my basement. So i brought it upstairs in a south facing window where it gets about 5 hours of direct sun. I may try to supplement with some cfls or something like that.

[Roberta]

It may just have to get bigger... the Onc. sphacelatum parent wants to get very large before blooming. The Colm. Wildcat part will keep the size down, and no doubt help it be an easier bloomer. So, patience...

[estación seca]

You don't say where you live. There is sun and there is sun. I can bloom Oncidiums in my bright Arizona shade but other people need to supplement full sun during the winter.

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by estación seca

You don't say where you live. There is sun and there is sun. I can bloom Oncidiums in my bright Arizona shade but other people need to supplement full sun during the winter.

I find it strange that growers in the USA need to supplement with lights in winter. My oncidiums are spiking at the moment with on average 1 hour of sunshine, and less than 7 hours of daylight.
Sunshine & Daylight Hours in Glasgow, Scotland, Uk Sunlight, Cloud & Day length

Glasgow has about 1200 hours of annual sunlight, compare that to 'cloudy' Seattle that has about 2000. So I wonder if I can bloom Vandas etc. with no additional light why are they needed in much sunnier situations.

Didn't mean to hijack this thread.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by jcec1

I find it strange that growers in the USA need to supplement with lights in winter. My oncidiums are spiking at the moment with on average 1 hour of sunshine, and less than 7 hours of daylight.
Sunshine & Daylight Hours in Glasgow, Scotland, Uk Sunlight, Cloud & Day length

Glasgow has about 1200 hours of annual sunlight, compare that to 'cloudy' Seattle that has about 2000. So I wonder if I can bloom Vandas etc. with no additional light why are they needed in much sunnier situations.

Didn't mean to hijack this thread.

It may be how many newer homes in the USA are constructed. Though windows are common, a wide windowsill on which to grow plants is often lacking in new homes. I have to grow my plants during the winter away from windows, hence my need for artificial light.

Also, the angle at which light hits the window is important, when your more northern light comes in the window, it is at a lower angle, and you may get more light coming in than someone living to the south where sunlight enters at a higher angle.

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

It may be how many newer homes in the USA are constructed. Though windows are common, a wide windowsill on which to grow plants is often lacking in new homes. I have to grow my plants during the winter away from windows, hence my need for artificial light.

Also, the angle at which light hits the window is important, when your more northern light comes in the window, it is at a lower angle, and you may get more light coming in than someone living to the south where sunlight enters at a higher angle.

Thanks for the clarification, things I never thought of.

[Ray]

...and it's a matter of adaptation.

As I said earlier, it's the development and storage of nutrients and energy that determine whether the plant will bloom when it ought to or not. If you take a plant and move it to "lesser" conditions, it may take it a year or more to adapt, changing its metabolic functions to deal with the new conditions. Once it has made those changes, it'll be good to go in the future.