spike 45 inch no flowers on Sugar Baby - Orchid Board

Jmaryland · #1 02-25-2018, 04:27 PM

New to forum and 1 1/2 year with orchids. The Sugar Baby looks very healthy and spike is now 45 inches tall. Why have flowers not started? I do fertilize my plants.

JScott · #2 02-25-2018, 09:58 PM

Sharry Baby spikes can be remarkably long, and usually buds don't grow directly from the main spike until at the very end. Lower on the spike will be branches, and the buds will grow from the branches. Has it started to branch yet? A picture would be helpful.

camille1585 · #3 02-26-2018, 03:14 AM

I agree that a photo would be useful. Have a look at this link if you need help posting photos, Tips for posting Photos, and be aware that you'll need to have made a minimum of 5 posts before you can add photos (unless you link to a photo hosting site)

estación seca · #4 02-26-2018, 04:28 PM

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Oncidium spikes can take a very long time to develop. Don't give up yet.

Jmaryland · #5 02-26-2018, 10:12 PM

The spike has not started to branch yet. It is tagged as Sugar Babies. Is there any thing I should do for to help with the branching? Will take picture tomorrow and send. Thank you for your help.

---------- Post added at 09:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:05 PM ----------

I am grateful for your response. Will take picture tomorrow.

---------- Post added at 09:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:09 PM ----------

Thank you for your response. Very excited about the spike. Plan to take picture an try to post. This my first time in a forum still learning.

Optimist · #6 02-26-2018, 11:32 PM

Sugar Baby is yellow and red with a large yellow lip. Sharry Baby is pink or maroon and white. If you look at photos of Sugar Baby type oncidiums, they all seem to have a very tall spike. 45 inches seems extreme. It might not branch. Does it have buds on each side? I saw one that had one spike, with flowers on both sides. Generally, a spike will grow, with tiny little buds, then the buds will grow larger till they are at full size and then open.

JScott · #7 02-27-2018, 12:42 AM

Oh haha, I just realized that the plant you referred to was Sugar Baby, not Sharry Baby. I misread that. But it doesn't make any difference either way, as both have very long spikes. As ES said, Oncidium spikes can sometimes take a painfully long time to develop, especially in the plants that have very long spikes like yours.

Orchid Whisperer · #8 02-27-2018, 04:20 AM

Oncidiums that have long spikes will have even MORE elongated spikes if the light is not quite high enough. Try increasing the light, gradually, if you can.

MrHappyRotter · #9 02-27-2018, 11:01 AM

You could provide us with some information about how you grow it and what your growing conditions are like, that way we don't have to guess as to what might be going on. Of course, photos might help as well.

Is the spike continuing to grow or has it halted entirely? If it's continuing to grow, be patient. If it's halted, then maybe something's not quite right with your care (too little light, too cold, pest infestation, etc). If you don't know, then you could start measuring it to confirm one way or the other.

Jmaryland · #10 02-27-2018, 10:49 PM

file:///Users/Joyce/Desktop/Orchid.jpg
This is the picture of the spike, I think it has grown more. Thank you for the responses. I am so excited about this plant. I hope the picture will load.

---------- Post added at 09:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 PM ----------

I have tried to post a picture.
file:///Users/Joyce/Desktop/Orchid.jpg

---------- Post added at 09:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 PM ----------

I have tried to post a picture.
file:///Users/Joyce/Desktop/Orchid.jpg
Thank you for any information about my plant

---------- Post added at 09:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:32 PM ----------

I have the plant in a bay window that faces west. Perhaps I can put a lamp my plant.

---------- Post added at 09:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 PM ----------

Thank you for your response. The plant is in moss and bark. The bay window faces west where the plant is. I water and fertile when dry a few inches down. I am trying to be able to attach a picture.
[IMG]file:///Users/Joyce/Desktop/Orchid.jpg[/IMG]
The picture is on my desk top, how can I attach?