Oncidium troubles

[SFLguy]

I have two oncidiums growing in two separate palm trees that have yet to flower (I'm sure they'll boom in the fall but I've been asked to check with others). They were mounted right before a storm last summer and got damaged when they came off so they didn't flower with those pbulbs, the only reason I can see them not flowering is that I'm not sure why the pbulbs are yellowish, could that be some kind of nutrient deficiency or just indicative of a good amount of sun?
Here are the two orchids in question

[silken]

They look healthy enough to me. Is it getting a fari bit of sun? If you are watering with a balanced fertilizer, I can't see it really being a nutrient deficiency. I have several Oncidiums that are naturally that pale even when grown in the same conditions of other Oncidiums that are a darker colour.

[SFLguy]

Originally Posted by silken

They look healthy enough to me. Is it getting a fari bit of sun? If you are watering with a balanced fertilizer, I can't see it really being a nutrient deficiency. I have several Oncidiums that are naturally that pale even when grown in the same conditions of other Oncidiums that are a darker colour.

They get two small openings of direct sun for about two hours, the rest of the day is filtered, the yellower one gets more direct light in the afternoon

[SFLguy]

Also, i think the fertilizer is a bloom booster, I think it's 11-35-15 or 15-35-11

[silken]

Maybe you should switch to a balanced fert. such as 20-20-20 for a while to see if it makes a difference. They look OK just a bit pale, but depending what they are, maybe they are supposed to be.

[SFLguy]

Originally Posted by silken

Maybe you should switch to a balanced fert. such as 20-20-20 for a while to see if it makes a difference. They look OK just a bit pale, but depending what they are, maybe they are supposed to be.

Alright, I'll try to go find one this weekend

[silken]

It's a good idea to use the balanced most of the time anyways and it shouldn't be hard to find. Just when new growths are nearing maturation you could try some bloom booster if you like to help get spikes started. Some people claim it doesn't make a difference for blooming, others like it. But the extra phosphorus (middle number) would be too much if applied all of the time.

[SFLguy]

Originally Posted by silken

It's a good idea to use the balanced most of the time anyways and it shouldn't be hard to find. Just when new growths are nearing maturation you could try some bloom booster if you like to help get spikes started. Some people claim it doesn't make a difference for blooming, others like it. But the extra phosphorus (middle number) would be too much if applied all of the time.

Thanks, I'll do that then

[tucker85]

I agree with Silken. Don't use bloom booster fertilizer. Get a balanced "Grow" type fertilizer. It sounds like the light is about right. Your name sounds like you might be in South Florida and we haven't had much rain so far this year. Oncidiums like lots of water but they also like to dry out quickly. Also give them a shot of Epsom salt. You can get it at Walgreens or CVS. Mix it at one tablespoon to a gallon of water and spray it on your orchids about once a month. Epsom salt will give the plant some magnesium and sulfur. Using a bloom type fertilizer blocks magnesium and some other nutrients from getting to the plant. I'm surprised they aren't blooming. I'm in Ft. Lauderdale and my oncidiums are all blooming right now. Good luck.

[SFLguy]

Originally Posted by tucker85

I agree with Silken. Don't use bloom booster fertilizer. Get a balanced "Grow" type fertilizer. It sounds like the light is about right. Your name sounds like you might be in South Florida and we haven't had much rain so far this year. Oncidiums like lots of water but they also like to dry out quickly. Also give them a shot of Epsom salt. You can get it at Walgreens or CVS. Mix it at one tablespoon to a gallon of water and spray it on your orchids about once a month. Epsom salt will give the plant some magnesium and sulfur. Using a bloom type fertilizer blocks magnesium and some other nutrients from getting to the plant. I'm surprised they aren't blooming. I'm in Ft. Lauderdale and my oncidiums are all blooming right now. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply, you're right, I'm in Miami actually and tell me about it, the rainy season isn't too rainy this year, maybe that means we'll get a hurricane for the first time in ten years haha. Since it hasn't been raining, we've been watering these orchids daily (they are tied to the palms with burlap and have almost nothing else when it comes to media but stuff falls in). Alright, I'll be sure to get some Epsom salt next time i go to the super market. To be fair, the pbulbs haven't matured yet so I'm waiting for that to happen before thinking that they won't bloom