identification help request
 

Can anyone help identify this orchid, please? It doesn't look like any of the other species I grow and I have no idea what it is. The largest leaf is approximately 2.5 inches wide by 11 inches long. The pseudobulbs are rather small and shaped kind of like a cookie (irregularly round, thick in the middle and blunted flattened toward the edges). All leaves are very hard, even moreso than the cattleyas I have, and the reverse side of each leaf has a prominent spine running the length; leaf tips are sharply pointed. Any help I receive will be greatly appreciated.

Steve

It is definitely one of the mule's ear oncidiums. Could be Onc. Splendidum, or Lawrenceanum. If I am right, they all bloom in the spring or late winter so you might have to wait for it to bloom to find out. These orchids are native to Mexico and are found in the company of cacti. Excellent drainage is required and they must be completely dry for a few days between watering.

steve
 

We need more info, where is it from, flower. I have Oncidiums, bulbophylums, cats that look similar.

Jim

Jim, I found the plant at a local nursery (not an orchid nursery) on their end-of-summer clearance table. It was simply tagged, "Miscellaneous Orchid." I picked it up because I liked the leaves: rock hard and deeply keeled (plus, since it was on the clearance table, I couldn't pass it by at $5). Don't know what the flowers were like, and the sales person I talked to said that she didn't remember it flowering anytime since they acquired the plant with a shipment last spring. She said they considered it a "dog" since it didn't flower (and since, therefore, no one who came into the store over the spring and summer was interested in buying it).

Jerry, I hope you're right that it's Onc. splendidum. I Googled that species after reading your feedback, and the flowers looked very impressive in the photos that I was able to find. I'll start growing this like one of the mule ears and see what happens. Right now I'm letting it dry out completely between waterings, and it's sitting in a southeast-facing window where it gets around five hours of direct sun each morning. Hopefully this will encourage it to bloom next spring. If it does, I'll post some pictures. Thanks very much for your help.

Steve

It could also be psychopsis papilio. When I got my first (and only) papilio about ten years ago, it had one inflorescence that lasted almost eight months (it's a sequential bloomer).

It is FINALLY flowering again (after 10 years) ... I'm told that the trick is to grow it hot, moist and tight in its pot. There are now 20+ pseudobulbs crammed into a 5" clear plastic pot and we are being rewarded with 3 blooming inflorescences and a 4th on the way.

I am new here and don't have many kinds of orchids but I would look at oncidium or bulbophyllum. They can both have irregularly shaped pseudobulbs but usually bulbophyllum have just one leaf and it feels almost succulent. Hope that helps some.

Steve,

No matter what others say, I am going to be very adamant about the identity of your plant. It is definitely one of the mule's ear oncidiums and when it blooms in the spring I am expecting Oncidium splendidum flowers. My plant usually blooms in February so you don't have too long to wait.

Thanks, everyone, for your help.

Jerry, do you give your plant a relatively dry winter rest? Lots of light? What temps do you provide for it in the winter? Right now I have it growing in an unobstructed eastern exposure. I've been watering it lightly once every couple of weeks (ever since the newest growth matured, I've cut back drastically with the amount and frequency of waterings I've given it). None of the bulbs have shrivelled, and since the leaves still feel like they're made of slate, I'm going to assume that it's at least okay with the treatment I've been giving it. If you have any "tricks" to coax it to bloom, please let me know.

Thank you again to all who provided feedback. It's much appreciated.

Steve

Steve,
It needs a winter rest. As bright as possible and on the dry side with intermediate to warm temps. The flower spikes will begin to emerge in late winter from the previous years growth. Since it will not be making active growth during this period, very little fertilizer is needed. a light application once a month should be sufficient.

steve--if you don't mind, would you take a look, please, at these and let me know if you think it's an Onc. splendidum? thank you:)