Flowering oncidiums

[Calbears]

I was given a NOID odontocidium last May. At the time there were only one or two blossoms left. I repotted and it has grown two new pseudobulbs and lots of new roots. I have yet to see any new spikes developing.

What triggers an oncidium to bloom?

[greengarden]

I would think it would be the wrong time of year for you, mine have all flowered in the last couple of months in Australia so I am guessing you would need to wait until your late summer over there.

[Calbears]

ok that makes sense. the new growths haven't matured and it was undoubtedly manipulated to flower out of cycle as it had come from a supermarket. thanks.

[silken]

My Onc. Wildcat is in bud at this time each year. Others bloom in the late summer or fall for me. With oncidiums and their crosses, the new growth usually matures, or close to it and then they produce a spike. Without knowing more of what yours is, it's hard to give specific cultural needs. In general they like to be just damp before watering and not dry out too much. They need good draining media and a weakly weekly feed is good. Some of them are fairly high light and others are not. The odontoglossums often prefer cooler temps but hybrids are usually more temperature tolerant. As with many orchids, a cooler night temperature helps produce blooms and good light as well. You might want to use a bloom booster fertilizer prior to the growth maturing as it may help stimulate blooming.

[WhiteRabbit]

Some Onc. can bloom multiple times a year when mature. Others may be seasonal. Many only spike when the new growth is fully grown, some spike on not fully grown new growth.