Sometimes called the dancing lady orchid, the shape of the flower resembles a sashaying dress.
These orchids thrive under normal conditions with partial sun and well-drained soil.
Oncidiums typically flower in the fall.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Oncidium Orchid Care
Here are the main care requirements for oncidium orchids.
Light
Oncidiums are much more forgiving of bright ordirect lightthan other popular orchids, especially thePhalaenopsis.
Oncidiums can handle direct morning light and even prefer bright to very bright conditions.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
They tend to enjoy the same light thatDendrobiumspecies orchids prefer.
This medium is typically sold as orchid mix, and has very good drainage.
Those with thicker leaves and roots can be watered less frequently than those with thin leaves.
Use lukewarm or room-temperature water when the growing medium is half-dry.
Drainage is a priority so ensure your potting media is free draining.
Humidity levels should be kept between 30 and 60 percent.
Types of Oncidium Orchids
There are hundreds of recognizedOncidiumspecies of orchids available.
They are readily hybridized, so new varieties are regularly introduced.
Pruned orchids may generate a second flower stalk, though once-a-year blooms are common.
Propagating Oncidium Orchids
Many oncidiums will form large clumps of pseudobulbs and develop into rather large plants.
They can be easilydivided into clumpswhen repotting.Just see to it you have at least three pseudobulbs in each division.
It requires special materials and carefully controlled conditions.
In general, only repot when necessary.
Overwintering
In the winter, reduce watering to bimonthly or less.
Oncidium orchids can withstand considerable drought because of their large pseudobulbs.
Wrinkled pseudobulbs generally indicate a lack of water.
Good hygienekeeping affected leaves pruned and plant debris removedwill minimize pest problems.
How to Get Oncidium Orchids to Bloom
Oncidiumsare magnificent in bloom.
How Long Do Oncidium Orchids Bloom?
The individual blooms of this orchid can last three weeks or more.
What Does Oncidium Orchid Flowers Look and Smell Like?
A large, well-grown plant might yield six or seven-branched sprays of yellow flowers.
The effect is very much like a cloud of buttery butterflies.
Oncodium orchids have a scent that many compare to vanilla.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Oncidiums need a good amount of light to bloom and rebloom.
This key in of orchid needs more light than most other orchid generathough not direct sunlight.
Without cool nights, these orchids will be shy about reblooming.
Deadheading Oncidium Orchid Flowers
You candeadhead the flowersonce completely faded by cutting them off at the base.
They will eventually drop on their own but this step can encourage another flower on the same stem.
An oncidium orchid getting the right amount of light will have light, yellow-green leaves.
Improving air circulation in the room will usually cause the infection to vanish.
Give the plant extra water to flush the salts from the soil.
In regions that are frost-free, potted orchids can make good patio plants.
‘Sharry Baby’ has a distinct chocolate aroma.
‘Twinkle’ has a vanilla-like smell.
Another popularfragrant orchidis the miniatureOncidiumcheirophorum.If you enjoy the smell of citrus, tryOncidium chrysomorphum.
Oncidium Culture Sheet.American Orchid Society
How Are Orchids Propagated?The American Orchid Society.
How to Grow Orchids From Seeds.
Cating, R. A., and A. J. Palmateer.Bacterial Soft Rot of Oncidium Orchids because of a Dickeya Sp.
(Pectobacterium Chrysanthemi) in Florida.Plant Disease, vol.
1, 2011, pp.
7474., doi:10.1094/pdis-07-10-0523
Orchid Pests and Their Management.University of Illinois Extension.
