Oncidium care, what am I doing wrong?

[FranningtonBear]

I am an amateur windowsill grower based in the UK, mostly my orchids thrive on this regime.

I was given the NoID plant pictured below by a friend when she stopped flowering. I haven’t seen her in bloom but I’m reasonably confident she is some type of Oncidium hybrid (did I mention I am an amateur?).

When this plant was given to me she had only two pseudobulbs, I repotted her into a slightly larger pot with fresh medium (a medium grade orchid bark) and found she had very few live roots. Since repotting around 18 months ago she has produced a huge amount of root growth and developed 6 further pseudobulbs making 8 in total. I keep her on a bright, north facing windowsill and she appears to be healthy but no sign of flower spikes… what am I doing wrong?

[dbarron]

Overall it looks healthy.
However, maybe a bit more light would help. North is pretty low light. I have mine in western and southern windows and they do flower.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

I agree, stronger light would be better. As far North as you are, these could tolerate some direct summer sun if acclimated gradually.

[FranningtonBear]

Thanks both for the replies, I’ve moved her to a West facing window and will keep my fingers crossed.

[Keysguy]

Looks happy but more light will be your friend. Remember to do that gradually!

[estación seca]

Your light problem is not only lower intensity than closer to the equator, but also much shorter winter days. I do see UK growers here posting beautiful plants grown in natural light, but not of all genera. Some people in northerly regions use supplemental electric lighting to extend daylength to 11-12 hours in winter. Some people use lights all day, while others turn them on for a few hours before dawn and/or after sunset.

[FranningtonBear]

Thank you to everyone who suggested increasing this orchid's light exposure, she has received 6 hours daily of supplemental full spectrum LED and she blooms!

Orange being my favourite colour, I am thrilled with how stunning this NoID orchid is. Would anyone haven any suggestions as to what she looks like she might possibly contain.

There are now two spikes holding over 100 buds, what an amazing show she is finally rewarding me with!

[dbarron]

Yay, that turned around quickly...about six months?

[Diane56Victor]

Congratulations, its bloomed well for you.
I have a Oncidium Caramel Confections 'Sweet Brown Sugar' that has blooms like yours.

[Dalachin]

Great job! Amazing what a little extra light will do.