Question
Hello!

Well, I think the orchid I have is Oncidium sphacelatum. The orchid flowers are primarily white (having little rust and yellow color). I got the plant about a month back from a nursery. I have set it near the window where it gets lots of indirect sunlight. I have not repotted it as the plant was in bloom at the time of purchase.

Now the problem is, there are a lot of buds and flowers on a long spike. For some reason, the flowers have started wilting, and feel dry to touch. Are they dying? And not a single bud on that spike has bloomed. Should I cut that spike? If yes, then I also lose lot of buds.
I water the plant about once a week. Also, I am in Charlotte,NC, so the temparature is pretty warm (though it does get a bit cool at night). The plant has about 8-10 long leaves, and they look ok to me (though sometimes I feel they are dry). I am not even sure if I am making any sense!
I would really appreciate any advice you can give to me, and identify what's going on with my orchid. Thanks!!!

Answer
Hello Garima,

I'm not sure what you have is a Oncidium sphacelatum as I believe the flowers are mostly yellow in color.  

It sounds as though the buds may have blasted (died) from your description of their condition.  Things that can cause this are sudden temperature changes of 15F or greater, fruits nearby, freshly painted walls in the house, are the more common reasons.  Since the buds will not open, go ahead and cut the spike off.  

There in Charlotte, NC you probably can expose it to several hours of direct early morning sunlight.  Temperatures between 55F to 85F, humidity above 40% with some light air movement around it.  Keep it moist but not wet from spring through mid fall when it is actively growing, then slightly on the dry side through winter.  Feed it lightly with fertilizer (about 1/4 the suggested amount on the fertilizer conainer) while it is actively growing.  

Hope this made sense.  (grin)  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.