Onc. Twinkle and Gold Dust not flowering

[sweta]

Hi Orchid Pals,

Need some help with two of my miniature oncidiums Twinkle and Gold Dust that havent flowered since I got them about 3 years ago. I purchased them as mature plants that should have bloomed by now. Since I got them, I repotted them in small sized orchiata bark and they've grow couple of new pseudo bulbs, leaves and roots but no signs of flower spike. I fertilize them weekly during summer but once in 2 weeks during winter. They are grown under grow lights most of the time except for summer when I put them on the window sill. Our house temperature is 70F. I'm using tap water. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong with these that they havent still bloomed. i live in the pacific northwest, seattle area.

[rbarata]

I think your plants are still young, although I have a Twinkle that bloomed in two seasons with only two leaves.

[sweta]

hmm...when I ordered I made sure it was a mature plant but havent seen it flower. I have 2 more oncidiums that have similar problem Onc. Sharry baby and Volcano Hula. Both havent rebloomed since I bought them about 3 years ago. They grow healthy pseudo bulbs and leaves but no flower spike yet.

[FranningtonBear]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I think your plants are still young.

This was my thought too. My Twinkle had at least twice as many pseudobulbs before she flowered for the first time.

As they say, orchids teach patience!

[rbarata]

If so many plants have the same issue, maybe some more light?

[sweta]

hmm...not sure, I grow them under grow lights most of the time.

---------- Post added at 04:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:25 PM ----------

in fact under grow lights they sometimes have leaf burn.

[sweta]

Attaching some pictures of my Onc. Sharry Baby and Onc. Volcano Hula.

[estación seca]

I've lived in Seattle. I think they need more water and more light. In 3 years they all should have many more growths. If you can put them outside in Summer they will enjoy the warmer temperatures.

[sweta]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I've lived in Seattle. I think they need more water and more light. In 3 years they all should have many more growths. If you can put them outside in Summer they will enjoy the warmer temperatures.

Yeah light is definitely a challenge in seattle. But all my phals initiate spikes without issues. Maybe the need for light is more for oncidiums. If I use stronger grow lights the leaves get burnt. Sure will try to leave them outside. I'm so scared of pests after the scale issue that I had 2 years ago that was a nightmare.

---------- Post added at 10:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:24 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Pegleg

I have Gold Dust and Tsiku Marguerite, growing outside in Florida. They both start spikes in October and bloom in January. Is it possible your plants are not getting the seasonal day length and temperature changes they need to initiate spikes?

That could be a possibility. My phals however dont have issues initiating spikes with the temperature changes. Maybe onc require more temperature drop?🤔

---------- Post added at 10:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:28 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

More water and more light seems logical, but to rule out excessive nitrogen , what formula is the fertilizer and at what concentration are you feeding them?

Ray, I'm using the repotme MSU fertilizer with tap water. I feed them fertilizer weekly as per instructions 1tsp per gallon of water.

---------- Post added at 10:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:30 AM ----------

Originally Posted by FranningtonBear

This was my thought too. My Twinkle had at least twice as many pseudobulbs before she flowered for the first time.

As they say, orchids teach patience!

Oh wow twice as many pseudobulb means another 2 years🤔 100% orchids teach us patience😀

---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 AM ----------

Originally Posted by rbarata

It can be many factors. The best approach, I think, is to give it the best required conditions. To achieve that, the best is to follow ES's suagestion: put it outside, in a shade but bright location.
How many times a week are you watering?

Roberta, summer times I'm watering every 3 days but winter its usually every 7-10 days

[Pegleg]

I have Gold Dust and Tsiku Marguerite, growing outside in Florida. They both start spikes in October and bloom in January. Is it possible your plants are not getting the seasonal day length and temperature changes they need to initiate spikes?