Oncidium (Wilsonara) Lisa Devos 'Burgundy' won't bloom

[JScott]

I got this plant a couple years ago, and I wasn't sure if I could grow it or not as it has a lot of Odontoglossum in it, and I can't maintain cool temperatures. In the winter, I kept it right by the window where it stays cooler. I put it outside in the spring and fall when the days are just warm and the nights are cool, and the rest of the time I have it in a sunny window in the house, wich we keep at about 68 degrees, although it gets warmer than that by the window when the sun is shining on it during the day.

Since I bought it, it has put on two new plump pseudobulbs, each bigger than the last. The leaves look great and you can see through the clear pot that it has good roots. I know it gets enough light because it has a slight purple tinge to it, but the damn thing just won't bloom. I fertilize it with a time release fertilizer, and never let it dry out completely. It is planted in small bark.

Anybody else growing and blooming this plant? What am I missing? My other Oncidiums bloom every time a new bulb matures, but not this one. The new bulb matures, and it just starts another new growth. Could I be keeping it too cool? Would it appreciate staying outside all summer (although in Texas, summers are hot).

I love this plant because it is so healthy and grows so well, and I just like the fat little egg shaped pseudobulbs, I think they're mad cute, but I would rather have blooms. Anybody have any thoughts?

[KingKong]

I'm afraid I don't see any purpling on the leaves to indicate that it is receiving enough sun - I do however see purpling on the pseudobulb, there is a big difference and one to be worried about.
On the last picture the pseudobulb is brown - ie completely dead.
I don't have this specific oncidium but I am pretty sure no oncidium bulb should be a brown freshly rotted colour.

The leaves still look plump so I am guessing this happened recently and the leaves will turn yellow and fall off over the next month

[jcec1]

I think it is just not mature enough. The plant looks healthy and since the pseudobulbs are progressively getting bigger then the culture is right. I have a NoID Wilsonara type that regularly bloooms later in the year so it may also be a seasonal thing.

[Ray]

I vote with jcec1, and I’ll add that you’re probably nearing the maturity level for blooming.

Unlike KingKong, I see nothing basically wrong with the plant. Yes, that oldest growth will likely come off at the next repotting, but unless it is mushy, I’d leave it alone. It still has nice leaves, after all.

[JScott]

I'll take a better picture later, but the older bulbs are purple, not brown. Older bulbs on oncidiums have a tendency to shrivel some. They are still firm, if a little wrinkled, and the plant continues to grow like crazy. The oldest bulb has been purple and wrinkled since I got the plant, and has kept its leaves the whole time. Having handled the plant and inspected it up close, I think the plant is general good health. With no bacterial or other infection. The old bulbs have always been wrinkled and are still firm. They are certainly not dead.

---------- Post added at 08:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:19 AM ----------

You other guys maybe right. It might be a seasonal thing. Or it just isn't old enough. But I assure you that the plant is healthy and not rotting

[Dollythehun]

I grow Wilsonara and I agree with Ray (gasp) and Jcec1. I see blushing on the leaves and the pbulb doesn't look soft or mushy. Leave it be, it's still immature.

I grow mine in intermediate conditions with bright light but, I have flowered with my phals. Mine is an old plant, and I divided it about 3 years ago. It sulked for a year, and didn't bloom. The following year it shot up 5 spikes. I just divided it again this week, and even though the divisions were very large four to five people each, I doubt if it will bloom again for another year. So Ray is correct, it's the maturity in these that really matters.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by JScott

What am I missing?

JS ..... from the very good shape and size of that plant, and all the good signs. You're probably missing 'mostly' nothing at this moment. The remaining component for getting there now is probably just time. Just a matter of time. And from the looks of things ....... it's all looking good .... very good.

[JScott]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I grow Wilsonara and I agree with Ray (gasp) and Jcec1. I see blushing on the leaves and the pbulb doesn't look soft or mushy. Leave it be, it's still immature.

I grow mine in intermediate conditions with bright light but, I have flowered with my phals. Mine is an old plant, and I divided it about 3 years ago. It sulked for a year, and didn't bloom. The following year it shot up 5 spikes. I just divided it again this week, and even though the divisions were very large four to five people each, I doubt if it will bloom again for another year. So Ray is correct, it's the maturity in these that really matters.

Thanks guys, you're probably right. I've only had it two years and i was small when I got it, with just two pseudobulbs. It now has four, and the newest one is quite large. As I promised, I have included a few more pictures where I think you can see better that the older pseudobulbs are a little wrinkled, but still plump and firm. I'm used to Oncidiums throwing flower spikes as soon as the bulb is mature, and maybe this one just doesn't do that. I'll keep waiting. It's a healthy plant, and I find it attractive even without flowers, so I'll just contine to enjoy it and wait. The pictures I can find online tend to show that the older bulbs are slightly wrinkled and dark in color, so I think that is just a feature of this plant. Do you think it will tolerate the Texas summer heat, or should I bring it back inside when it starts to get really hot, as i have done in previous years?

And by the way, I grow it where it get morning sun and then dappled light the rest of the day through some loose tree branches. I have Catts that bloom very well in this level of light, so I feel confident that light is not the problem.

[Dollythehun]

I think it looks great. As to temps, there's a world of difference between us, so I can't comment intelligently.

[JScott]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I think it looks great. As to temps, there's a world of difference between us, so I can't comment intelligently.

Yeah, that's true, you're not the person to ask that question of, as our climates are so different. I think I will go ahead and keep it in the house this summer. I did last year and it did fine, and in July in Texas, even the nightly lowes are in the upper 80s for most of the summer. And thank you, I think it's a pretty nice looking plant too. I love the shape of the pseudobulbs.