Can pseudobulbs tell me what kind of oncidiums I've got?

[Silje]

Here in Namibia the orchids that one can buy in the nurseries are all NOIDs and labelled either Phal, Onc or Cym.

Ok, I did once find a cattleya in between the phals, and a maxillaria in between the oncidiums, but that's about it.

Over time I've ended up with a bunch of different so-called oncidiums. I say so-called, cause when I look at them I see that there is huge variations in the pseudobulbs. A lot of the plants have been purchased outside of their flowering period, so I haven't actually seen their flowers.

Now, I'm wondering if I post pictures of pseudobulbs here, can they be used to give some more indication as to what they actually are and what I can expect or hope for flowering-wise?

[Magnus A]

Hi

Unfortunate not! There is in general not enough information in a photograph on a non flowering orchid to identify the specie. You have to wait for them to flower.

/M

[Wynn Dee13]

I don't think you can identify what kind of Oncidium you have just by the pseudobulbs. You will have to wait to see the flowers and even then it will be pretty much impossible to say for sure what the name of it is unless it is an easy identifiable species. Usually NOIDs are hybrids and without a tag it is impossible to say for sure what hybrid it is. There are just too many hybrids that look alike. The pseudobulbs can look so different because many Oncidiums are intergeneric hybrids which consist of many different related genera. When they bloom make sure you post pics!

[Silje]

Thanks for the quick reply, guys.

I'm just so unsure about them and...have no idea whether they have the same requirements or whether some might need more sun or more shade than others etc.

I see that they are completely different plants...and I've been wondering if they are at oncidiums all of them or if some are perhaps closer to odontoglossums or brassias or something. I don't know if they will be happy with the same care?

I've just added a couple of pictures...in case you recognize any of them.

The first one really looks pretty similar to a colmanara wildcat I used to have. And it has a spike so I get to see how the flowers look pretty soon.

The second has very long, oval pseudobulbs that get very defined vertical ridges when they get older. These plants just look very different from my wildcat lookalikes.

And the third one has very big, but flat bulbs even when they are young and plump.

Do you think they will be happy standing side by side in the same light and temperature?

[bellini girl]

Must be frustrating trying to find names. Nonetheless, they look pretty healthy to me. Looks like you're doing something right. Pic one should flower soon, be sure to post when it blooms

[Silje]

Originally Posted by bellini girl

Nonetheless, they look pretty healthy to me. Looks like you're doing something right.

Oh dear...that's just because I have not had them long enough to kill them yet. Me and 'bulby' orchids have a tendency to not work out well. But I love them (to death, I suspect) and refuse to give up on them.

[WhiteRabbit]

Most Oncidium alliance (this includes Brassia, Odontoglossum, Miltonia - the basis for a lot of the common intergeneric hybrids) can take the same care - of course Odontoglossums are usually cooler growing, but crossed with other genera, the hybrids are usually fine with a wide range of temps. All you can do is to grow them with general Oncidium care, and watch them to see how they are doing, make adjustments if necessary.

Most Oncidium alliance will take moderate light, and like media to remain lightly moist.

Why do you suppose your 'bulby' orchids haven't done well? I really do much better generally with orchids that have pbulbs - they have the stored resources to use when my care has been less than ideal, and in most cases, seems Oncidium alliance are quite resilient. Hopefully with help from OB members we can get your bulby orchids doing great!

[silken]

As WhiteRabbit says, most hybrids are OK with general Oncidium care which is rather intermediate conditions. Yours look healthy. For what its worth, the leafy second photo looks a lot like my Miltassia Royal Robe which is quite a common one. I never let it get completely dry and give it medium light although I think it tolerates more light as well. Be sure to post pics of the one in spike. I think its always fun to see a NOID in bloom for the first time after it was rescued!

[Michael :D]

the top picture deffinitly looks to me like an oncidium but yea again your better off posing pictures of the flowers

[Silje]

Hello!

For those of you that wanted to see a picture of the flower. What I think is a Wildcat finally opened up today (it felt like it took forever).

And here is how they look!



It's always quite exciting to wait for buds to open up when you've got no idea what the flowers will look like. I've had this type of onc with everything from completely dark red to almost plain yellow. And it's almost impossible to tell the coloration from how the bud looks.