Many ID questions!!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Tosh

This one i have had for two years and it still has not re-bloomed. What am i doing wrong. Others have bloomed twice since

Phalaenopsis -
maybe try increasing the light a bit. Also I have read some phals may need a day-night temp swing of 15 degrees or so to initiate blooming. Some people will leave them in front of a cracked window for a couple weeks. In the bay area I don't know if that's necessary since there is usually a fair temp difference between day and night - unless you grow in a very temperature controlled environment.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Tosh

Since i got it, that plant put out five spikes for a total bloom time of 22 months STRAIGHT!!!
It grew a baby but i accidentally broke it off, so it put out the keiki, which i split when it was 10 inches tall, then it put out another baby from its base that is already about 24 inches tall. GO BABY, GO!!!
My theory is that this is my good luck orchid, its the first one i didn't kill, and haven't lost one since.

wow! that's great!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Tosh

This one was purchased on the side of the road by my last roommate. When i moved out they didn't water it, the thing was almost dead so i asked to take it. The plant was basically dead, my wife insisted i not even try to keep it.

I cut the spike, which at the time i didn't know could re-bloom, but it did, then it sent out another new spike. And grew all new leaves without ever stopping blooming. The leaves have now reached 5 inshes wide, and 13 inches long. I have never seen one of these THIS BIG!
I don't care what it really is, just showing off my generic little (well, big now!) orchid.

nice save! this is also a Phalaenopsis

[RobS]

The oncidium could be Oncidium ornithorhynchum

[ronaldhanko]

1. Dendrobium noid
2. Almost certainly not Onc. ornithorhynchum - that species has pink, not off-white flowers, and the spikes are usually quite a bit longer.
3. Cymbidium noid
4. Phalaenopsis noid
5. Phalaenopsis noid

[ronaldhanko]

Would like to see pictures of the second plant when it blooms - that would certainly help in iding it.

[Tosh]

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

1. Dendrobium noid
2. Almost certainly not Onc. ornithorhynchum - that species has pink, not off-white flowers, and the spikes are usually quite a bit longer.
3. Cymbidium noid
4. Phalaenopsis noid
5. Phalaenopsis noid

You're right about number two, the flowers are even smaller!! And white, only a hint of color

OK, now the final question, how do i get all of these to rebloom?
I've read epsom salt and temps around 55 at night, to 85 in the day. But i don't think i can leave any of these out 24/7 can i?

The temps are PERFECT where i live now, between 51-88 all week, but i'm afraid the sun will burn them!!!!

[RosieC]

For the Phals (4 and 5) a temp drop in the fall can trigger them. I've actually had several of mine trigger in the last couple of weeks when we had a summer cold spell. You may have difficutly getting them to flower if you have an air conditional home where the temperature does not vary through the year.

The Dendrobium (1 which is a Phal type Den) will spike with higher light in my experience. I found last year they spiked after a time outside in very bright (but indirect) light. Other types of Den will have other triggers but this one looks like it should be like mine.

Cymbidiums (3) need a cold spell in the winter to bloom. Unlike Phals which still like house temps even after the temp drop Cyms like a real cold spell. I will be leaving mine in the greenhouse which will be only heated to 5C over the winter.

Oncidiums (2) I'm really not sure about. Mine is spiking just now but I don't know what the trigger was. I think often it can just be a case of the new growths maturing enough for them to spike but there may be another factor.

[Angurek]

I have a feeling that the oncidium in question is Onc. Twinkle.

Does your plant look like this when in bloom?

[Tosh]

Originally Posted by Angurek

I have a feeling that the oncidium in question is Onc. Twinkle.

Does your plant look like this when in bloom?

YESSS!!! Nice work!
I have never seen another one of these. Do you own one?
Mine is going crazy since i bought it. It smells so good when it blooms. Mine is not as white as this picture, but that is it!
THANK YOU