spike 45 inch no flowers on Sugar Baby
 

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.

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.

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)

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

I just was able to post a picture in the gallery 1-3 project. Hope you can see it the spike has grow a little more. I am not even sure how to continue a thread, trying by best.

When you click on the button to reply, it takes you to the window where you type your response. Scroll down a little bit, and you'll see a button that says "Manage Attachments". Click that. It will bring up a new window. Click one of the buttons that says "Choose File". In the window that pops up then, on the left menu, click on "desktop", then find the picture and select it, and click "Open". Then click "upload", and when it is finished, click "close this window". That is all. Click "submit reply" and you're done.

I just was able to post a picture in the gallery 1-3 project. Hope you can see it the spike has grow a little more. I am not even sure how to continue a thread, trying by best.

---------- Post added at 08:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:20 PM ----------

I see your post. My option is Post Quick Reply. I do not have the button manage attachments.
I did somehow manage to get the picture on the Gallery project 1-3. I hope you will be able to see it. Thank you for your help and information.

Go advanced is to the right of the Post Quick Reply button. I, for one, do not know what "Gallery 1-3" even is.

Spike
 

Attachment 131462 I will try.

spike
 

I finally was able to send the picture.

Ok. I see it. It hasn't developed flower buds yet. How sunny is it there? It seems to be growing away from the window, which is odd. It also looks very dry. How often do you water? Other than those two things, I don't see anything unusual.

I moved the plant for the picture. It grows in my bay window which faces west. I water it every week. I check it with my finger to feel if it is dry or damp a couple inches down. Any input helps.

Oncidiums are thirsty plants. I'd step up the watering and be patient with the spike.

I will step up the watering.Thank you for your help.

Looking at your pot and mix, I don't think overwatering will be a problem. But, the bark did look a little degraded to me. When it finishes blooming, I'd repot.

Spike 45 inch
 

Plant was moved to show picture. It is keep in bay window that faces west.

EDIT...i spoke too soon and don't know how to delete this post

Only a moderator can delete. No worries.

45 inch spike is now 56 inches
 

The Sugar Babies spike has started to sprout green off the spike. I added extra light as recommended. When there is more growth I will post a picture. Seems like I will have many weeks before flowers. Thank you to every one for advise and interest.