Bllra Peggy Ruth Carpenter 'Morning Joy'

[cabnc]

Beallara Peggy Ruth Carpenter 'Morning Joy' is (Bllra. Tahoma Glacier x Milt. Purple Queen).

I have had this plant for three years and the flower production is declining. This seems to happen with my Oncidium alliance plants.

Any suggestions ???

If I divide it -- how large should the divisions be ??

If I repot -- how much growing room should I leave ?

Thanks for any help.

Charlie

[RosieC]

I'm afraid I can't help Charlie, so I'm giving you a bump as you've not had any answers

[POLKA]

Howdy
If dividing, wait until you have a division with a new growth about half grown. Orchids in the Oncidium groups tend to grow roots after their growth is about half size or so. Then you can divide, and the plant will hardly notice. Done at the wrong time, and I have, they can sulk a while. When dividing, make sure to have at least three back bulbs with the new growth, so as to keep from loosing a bloom cycle.

Bumping up the plant should be easy -- 4 inch into a six, or 6 inch into and eight, etc, for two or more years growth, using your favorite mix.

If you still get declining blossom power--I have lessened flowering on my brassia, and degarmoara -- but they were growing like weeds -- I lowered the fertilizer in the waterings. Now they are spiking better, and will probably continue to get better with less.

That last rule is only if they are growing very well, but not flowering. They became lazy.

Hope this helps.

Take care
may all your orchids bloom like crazy

Rex
aka POLKA

[cabnc]

Rex,

Thanks for the info on dividing. I have mistakenly divided when new growth started and my oncidiums definitely did not appreciate that.

Charlie

[camille1585]

Like briefly mentioned above, if you're using a high N ratio fertilizer that might partly explain why they are producing less flowers. If that's the case of your fertilizer, try switching to a more balanced formula. They might be more picky than other genera when it comes to ferts. You can also try supplementing their water with epsom salts, which has a bloom 'booster' effect on plants if your water is low in magnesium.

[tucker85]

Oncidiums are so difficult because there's a huge number of orchids in that genre and many of them require different culture techniques. Since the plant is flowering after three years you are obviously doing something right. It's true, in general, that you should decrease the amount of nitrogen the plant gets in the month or two before it normally blooms. If it gets too much nitrogen it will use it's energy to grow rather than bloom. For my catts I switch to a low nitrogen fertilizer in Oct and they bloom Nov - Feb. I also water and fertilize less often in the blooming season. I'm assuming the same would be true for oncidiums. Good luck.