Can anyone help me identify these??

[hermie3rd]

Okay..so I have these two orchids - some of you have already seen these , so I apologize...but I have some people on a group I belong to on myspace asking me what the specific names of these orchids are. I know the one is an oncidium and the other a phal, but I don't know specifics on either plant, since both were given to me by family members who didn't have specific information. I know neither plant has flowers (as stated in an earlier post, the onc has never bloomed, and the phal bloomed once a couple of years ago and had bright pink flowers). I'm trying to get help to get these guys to bloom, and without specifics, all the info anyone can give me is pretty general. If anyone can help I would appreciate it. Thanks!! Here are the pictures once again:

[kiki-do]

Hi Hermie,
I will take a stab at this. Bare with me, okay, as I am only a 3rd year grower, but I try to read and absorb as much info as I can. That first plant I can not make it look like an Oncidium. I am not saying it's not one, but it's not the typical Oncidium I have seen (again, very green here, and only have two oncidiums). The pseudobulbs hold water, so let them go dry between watering. That pot doesn't look to be a good pot for that type orchid (I think that is an herb pot anyway). Orchids like air flow. Also a slight drop in temps at night (5 to 10 degrees) to produce spikes. Are they getting that? Fertilizer, are they getting that ( weakly weekly). My opinion would be to take the Oncidium out of that pot, check it thoroughly for any bad roots, trim if necessary, and put new potting medium (coconut husk, perlite, charcoal, and/or bark) in and to use an orchid pot with lots of air holes. I would definitely let it go dry to see if that would jump-spike it. High light for this one.
The phals I do grow, and they also will not spike without that drop in temp at night and for at least a month. They like to be watered thoroughly and allowed to go almost dry before rewatering. Also fertilizer every other watering. Is it in a pot inside that clay pot? There doesn't seem like any good air flow. Might want to put it into another pot with plenty of air flow. The key to produce spikes with phals is that temperature drop. Never below 55 degrees, but a drop nevertheless. Medium light for this one.
Without a definite label, you will not be able to pinpoint the exact name of your orchids. There are so many variables of phals and oncidiums, that you really need that tag. Once it blooms, you may find a similar type to identify with. Sorry if I am not giving you the answers you are looking for, but I gave it a shot.
Best of luck..... and your plants look to be in really good shape. They just need that extra push. kiki

[hermie3rd]

Thanks kiki...well, for the first plant, my mom split an orchid into 3, gave me one, gave my sister one, and kept one for herself. She gave it to me in that pot, told me it was an orchid pot, and there is an identification tag inside she gave me as well, but it just says Oncidium on it. That's why I was thinking it was, but there's always the chance that it was mislabeled! The general consensus is that the pot isn't a good one, so I'm planning to repot it, but it was suggested to me by another member to wait until it has new growth, which I'm assuming will be in spring, so I was going to wait another month or two before repotting it. As for the phal, it does have another plastic pot inside the terracotta one, so I think I'm okay there. I am actually planning on repotting this guy too, within the next couple of weeks. I've moved both plants to my kitchen which is facing west, through the Michigan winter, and then once spring is here, my plan is to move the phal back to the living room which faces east, and keep the onc (or what I'm thinking is the onc) in the kitchen. Any thoughts on what it might be if it isn't that? Thanks again for all the advice!!

[kiki-do]

Hi Hermie,
It is probably an Oncidium. If the tag says that and your Mom split it, she would know. Like I said, I only have 2 and they are miniature types, I believe.
Sounds like you have a great plan for repotting. I also think Ray's First Orchids (he comes on every now and then) has some products that help boost growth. He would be a great one to get advice from. I think his website is here somewhere, or you could punch it into the computer to find it. Again, good luck!!! kiki

[GreggC]

in them, the fact that you have a label that confirms it makes me believe it is so. The second one is either a Phalenopsis or a Doritenopsis (sp?).

[quiltergal]

Hermie I think your Onc. is a Beallara which is in the Onc. alliance. I have one and it has the same cigar shape p-bulbs and the leaves that twist ever so slightly. Brlla. = Brassia x Cochlioda x Miltonia x Odontoglossum. Just my .

[hermie3rd]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

Hermie I think your Onc. is a Beallara which is in the Onc. alliance. I have one and it has the same cigar shape p-bulbs and the leaves that twist ever so slightly. Brlla. = Brassia x Cochlioda x Miltonia x Odontoglossum. Just my .

Thanks!! It's nice to finally have someone be able to point me in the direction of what type of onc I have!!

[quiltergal]

Don't tag it just yet. We'll know for sure when it blooms! This is my plant for comparison.

[hermie3rd]

You're right - they do look alike!! If I ever get it to spike I'll post pics and you can let me know if the flowers are the same. Thanks again!

[Mike O'C]

Hermie,
The one with pseudobulbs looks like an Oncidium/Odontoglossum alliance orchid and the other looks like a Paphiopedilum. When they flower you will have a better idea of what they are.
I suggest that when you buy orchids make sure that they have name tags (although these are often wrong;-(
Keep well and kind regards
Mike