Oncidium first sign of spikes

[nosilla]

I'm with you and connie! I just brought in my orchids from outside (when I saw it was 36 deg F I thought it was time) and my DL spike is probably about 8" long. Never saw this one in bloom before. I can't wait to see the other Dancing Lady blooms! Keep us posted!

[clintdawley]

The spikes on that one would be situated farther up between the leaves and the pseudobulb. (The second photo looks like you are pointing to something at the base which could be new roots starting to bulge out.)

[etex]

100th post, eh? Am using my 50th post to tell you congrats and you'll have beautiful flowers coming. I love watching those spikes.

[AtantaR]

lol....Thanks Diane and Allison....I hope at least one of them is a spike.....I think Clint might have busted my bubble tho...lol..But she might be right....we'll have to see....Im hoping for the best.....ill update as soon as something changes....

@Diane...happy 50th post..lol

[delphiguy]

congratulations on the new spikes.....

[EMos]

Congratulations Andrew. I wish you have as many spikes as, though as Clint mentioned above, some of them in my opinion might be new growth - not busting your bubble again Lol, but this means more spikes to come...

[AtantaR]

The spikes on that one would be situated farther up between the leaves and the pseudobulb. (The second photo looks like you are pointing to something at the base which could be new roots starting to bulge out.)

Congratulations Andrew. I wish you have as many spikes as, though as Clint mentioned above, some of them in my opinion might be new growth - not busting your bubble again Lol, but this means more spikes to come...

You peps were right...It's all new growth. Tis a good thing but its been longer then a year and I was hoping for some spikes...darn....Does the pseudobulbs have to be mature to put out new growth? Im surprised its putting out new p-bulbs at this time of year. Or would this be normal? Does anyone have any suggestions on how I could trigger spike? Its a noid so I have no idea on its lineage. Thanks

[EMos]

Hi Andrew, I'm a bit sorry, but at the same time if your oncidium is putting so much growth, that means it is healthy. Actually I grow a few Oncidium intergenerics, and I find that there is no particular season for them to put on new growth, but it's sequential; you'll normally find new growth when a pseudobulb matures, then roots, and if the next one has attained maturity and given sufficient light it will flower.
I suggest you give the plant stronger levels of light when the new growths are about to finish developing, just before the pseudobulbs appear, that should initiate the flowering spikes. Also shift to a high potassium fertilizer when the growths finish developing, I like using 'Phostrogen' which is very high in potassium or you can use a 'bloom booster' formulae. The new growth might take anything from six to nine months to reach maturity, a little bit of patience and you'll get there...Good Luck

[AtantaR]

Thanks.....its just interesting cause this would be the second time its put out new p-bulbs this year. During the first bulbs development I was giving it a bloom booster 11-35-15 and giving it the most light out of all my plants. Its sitting in a W-SW window with high light and direct light from 1200 to 500. Which would make sense to get it to bloom such as you have suggested. Are you saying that once a bulb puts out new growth that the older bulb wont spike ever? Only from new growth? Or will both bulbs eventually spike in time? Could temp be a situation?...thanks for your help

[navyderek]

Temp could be a factor.......or light.......or a rest period of no water after the growth has finished developing.....

Some Oncid and hybrids need a 10 degree drop in the average temp to initiate spiking, you could achieve this by putting it between a window and a heavy curtain at night, and the outside temps up there in Mass will do it for you. If it's temp triggered, it should start spiking fairly quickly. I let the temp go down in my living room (where all my oncids are, go down to 60-65 every night the last winter and now this one and have seen good results.

If that doesn't work, try a rest period of no water for two weeks (unless it starts dropping leaves, then stop at that point), then submerge it for an hour or two and return to regular watering. Semi-Torture this thing into spiking. :-)