Oncidiums with longer spikes?

[Jeff214]

Hi,

I enjoy the long sprays that some of the mature Oncidium types can produce. I found Oncidium Splinter from Brookside orchids that produces spikes from 4 - 8' (photos on the internet are spectacular!). While I'd love to purchase it, the shipping costs are too high for me.

While I understand that the spikes do tend to get longer as the plant matures, I'm wondering if there were other types of Oncidiums that tend to produce longer spikes. I thought that I could find a vendor nearer that might sell a similar Oncidium to lower shipping costs...

Thanks for the help!

[estación seca]

Where do you live? Their site says that plant is in a 5" / 12.5cm pot, not in bloom now, and they use US Postal Service for shipping non-blooming plants. You're unlikely to get cheaper shipping costs for a plant that size.

One of Splinter's parents is O. sphacelatum, which is also a rambunctious grower with long bloom spikes. Maybe you could find a smaller one of those?

[fishmom]

I have Odcdm. Tiger Crow 'Golden Girl' Hcc/AOS x Oda. Angel Island 'Purple Profusion'. When I bought it , it had a spike at least 4 ft. long. I've never gotten anything like that, but I don't have perfect growing conditions either. At least it is capable of producing a long spike.

[Jeff214]

Thanks for the suggestions. I live in GA and the shipping from the west coast is a bit high. Brookside charges 21$ for the 5" pot. I found O. sphacelatum at Hausermann's and they will ship a 6" pot for 14$.

[fishmom]

Can you get to any shows this spring? Chat with vendors and they can probably tell you which ones might have promise.

[Roberta]

If you go to a show where Ecuagenera is selling (like one of the Florida shows), I got an Oncidium hyphaematicum from them (bare root) 3 1/2 years ago, it has grown quite vigorously, with spikes about 5' long (1.5 m) and flowers about 1 1/2 inches (3 cm) across. Quite a spectacular plant, it first bloomed within the year after I got it. If you can't catch them at a show, you could probably order it to be sent within the US when they come to one of those shows. (And being bare root, shipping should not be very expensive)

This is what the plant looks like (my photo) http://orchidcentral.org/Images/Onci...haematicum.jpg and the flower http://orchidcentral.org/Images/Onci...haematicum.jpg

[Jeff214]

Never been to a show but sounds like a good plan. I'll try checking one out this spring.

@Roberta,
Thanks for the pics - spectacular indeed. Does Oncidium hyphaematicum have a scent? Wonderful nonetheless.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Jeff214

Does Oncidium hyphaematicum have a scent? Wonderful nonetheless.

No scent that I have noticed

By the way, if you do decide that you want this (or anything else) from Ecuagenera, their website is http://ecuagenera.com . You can order plants for either pickup at, or shipping from, a show - otherwise they may not bring the particular plant your are interested in. (I got mine by fortunate chance: saw it, liked it, bought it,)