Anybody's guess!

[shakkai]

This is the plant that I mentioned in my Monthly Status Report that I bought for £1 at the local garden centre. I assume its some kind of oncidium type - but as its very close to flowering, I thought it might be fun to have some guesses at what it actually is!

The plant was completely dehydrated when I bought it, with one mature pseudobulb and a new growth just starting. It looked like it wanted to live, so I brought it home and its been recovering ever since... Its had a pretty hard life up 'til now!!

Here is a photo of the bud:


And the mature pseudobulb:


Anyone care to guesstimate what this is going to be?

I don't grow any of these types, so I don't have a clue!

[cb977]

That bulb looks like the bulbs on my Colmanara so surely something in the Oncidium group...can't wait to see that bloom!

[Frdemetr]

Shakkai,

Just one bud is unusual for Miltoniopsis (hybrid?), but it's only a guess; The first pic remembers me a Cochleanthes or Huntleya, but these have not pbulbs (second pic). It's a Tribe Maxillarieae, Sub-tribe Oncidiinae orchid, for sure

[shakkai]

At this point, its all guesses Frederico! Thanks! I'm happy that I am getting confirmation that it is some Oncidiinae.

I'm pretty sure that once the plant gathers its strength again, it will produce more buds. I was just happy to see one - given what poor shape it was in. At least with one flower, I've got a chance of telling just what it is...

The pseudobulbs are quite circular in shape, but very flat with a sharp 'edge' along both sides. There was one of Sue's that had pbulbs which looked quite similar, but I can't remember now what that was!

Sue, we'll see pretty soon - I've started to see some pink or purple colour developing at the base of the flower. Can't be very long now...

[stonedragonfarms]

Based on the shape of the bud and it's location, I'm voting for either miltonopsis or something of the miltonia ilk
Adam

[shakkai]

Thanks, Adam. I sure hope you're right! I don't have any like that at all, so it would be nice to have at least one.

[Mahon]

Crimped leaves and hidden, compressed pseudobulbs? Seems to be a Miltionopsis as well!

You may want to try increasing the humidity for that plant. A lack of humidity or watering will cause the crimping of the leaves. It's quite a common site in Miltionopsis, not so much in the dry-tolerant Miltonia...

-Pat

[shakkai]

Thanks, Pat! I've got my fingers crossed now! The accordion leaves were a result of lack of watering - it being completely dehydrated prior to my buying it. All the leaves were a very dull grey-green, and the mature pseudobulb was completely shrivelled to the point where it started to curl around. I've been caring for it for about 7 months now, and what was the tiny new growth (which is what led me to buy it!) has really grown on - but unfortunately, the damage to the new leaves was already done. Humidity on my windowsill around the plants is 80% or above. Current relative humidity outside is 79%.

[Paul]

I too would vote for it being some sort of Miltionopsis.

[Shirley]

Looks like a Miltionopsis to me!