a few questions
 

:hello I am hoping that I don't sound like a complete dummy here, but here goes. I have searched over the internet and I still have no idea to this question. I am completely new to cymbidiums and oncidiums, now my question is this what exactly happens from the time you see a new pbulb growing til it flowers? How long does it take, do they bloom all in 1 yr or does it take longer? Do the blooms come from the previous yr/yrs growth (pbulbs)? I hope I am not looking really dumb here (probably am :rofl:) But I thankyou so much as I can't find the steps of what happens, and I'd really like to know. :blushing:

It's not a silly question. We are all learning here, so hopefully someone with more knowledge than me can answer your question, successfully. It's always great to see new pblbs. growing, isn't it?

Well, I can't answer your question, but I always tell people that the only dumb questions are the ones that go unasked.

Well I`ve had new p-bulbs for seven months now and I`ve yet to see a flower. Not very helpful, but at least you know what to expect for the next 7 months...LOL

Most oncidiums and cymbidiums only bloom on new growth (someone recently posted there are a few cyms that can bloom on older growth, but the exception, not the rule)

Time from new growth to blooms will vary with the plant - some oncidiums spike on growths before the pbulbs have developed, but seems most only spike when the pbulb is nearly or fully developed -
cyms (in my experience), spike from nearly mature pbulbs

Some oncidiums can bloom anytime new growth is in the proper stage of growth, provided culture has met it's needs - others may be seasonal bloomers

I know there are some species cyms that are 'free bloomers', but seems most hybrids are seasonal

As a general answer, I would say that it should be less than a year - most growth will develop and mature in less than a year, tho it can be a few, to several months, and then some spikes take a few months to grow before they bloom. My experience with most of my cyms and oncidiums is about 2-3 months for most spikes before they bloom (that's when I spot them very early on)

Thankyou everyone...so glad it not a silly question, it's hard to find info sometimes and there's certainly lots of peeps here with tonnes of experience. ;)

To add one more point to White Rabbit's explanation for Cymbidiums: not all new pbulbs will initiate a bloom spike. If the plant is not in optimum condition and/or the resulting new growth does not mature sufficiently in time for (late summer/fall) spike initiation, it will not bloom that season.

Thankyou white rabbit and cym ladye that helps alot. To add another question regarding cyms and maybe other orchids too. So if the plant recovers/ and or matures(the previous yrs growth) will it produce a spike the following year or will it eventually become a backbulb, never having produced a spike? I hope that I've explained my question so you can understand lol ;) many thanks

I would expect that if a growth hasn't spiked within a year (would usually be less than a year) it won't - some Dens can bloom - and even rebloom -on older growth, but in general, blooms come on new growth only