Oncidium (Odontoglossum) New Growth: Flower Spike or Vegetative Shoot?

Question:

I received this orchid in bloom. Flowers fell off a month ago; a new shoot is growing. There's also a small part near the stem base that looks like a future flower. Should I trim the stem? Will a new stem come from the baby shoot? The shoot is ~2.5 inches long.

Answer:

Hello Josette,

Without seeing it, hard to say. Be patient—wait 2–4 weeks to see if it develops into a flower. New vegetative shoots grow slowly over 4–5 months, maturing by fall, and will produce flower stems next year.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, CA