Hwuluduen chameleon - slow opening

[ArronOB]

This is Oncidesa Hwuluduen Chameleon. A fairly common hybrid of an Oncidium and Gomesia echinata.

The unusual thing about this orchid, in my care, is how long it has taken to open. The spike appeared in October, and this photo was taken today. I was going to wait for it to open fully but I suspect that will take at least another month. Most of my other Oncidium types started spikes about the same time and have long since finished flowering.

Has anyone else grown this orchid and did you find the same thing?

I’m curious because I read that this orchid will flower twice per year, in optimum conditions. Spring and autumn. That would mean that the autumn spike would need to emerge long before the spring spike is mature, and vice versa - a sort of perpetual overlap which I haven’t seen before.

Any observations.

[Jeff214]

I can't speak specifically for that hybrid, but my Oncidium sphacelatum has been steadily spiking since September... and still nowhere near flowering. Definitely slower than 4 other intergeneric hybrids I have.

In any case, beautiful blooms - Hope it lasts as long as it's taking to flower!