In the wild, almost all Oncidium (pronounced on-sid-ee-um) orchids are epiphytes, growing on tree branches where they anchor themselves with their thick roots. These are often combined with a thermometer, which is handy. Make sure the light is indirect. Large pots will often make the compost moist and very damp, which can harm the roots and make them rot. With enormously diverse and unique orchid species native to Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina, these dainty dancing lady orchids can also grow in the United States. Check out our fertilizer guide for more detail on how to choose the right type of fertilizer and apply it correctly: Related: Orchid Fertilizer: Everything You Need to Know. If you’re still not sure, check out our article about this common issue for more detail. It depends on their growth stage as well as the time of day and season. This makes cultural generalizations hard. Because Oncidium orchids prefer to be in tighter pots, repotting should be done infrequently. Related: How to Repot an Orchid: Step by Step Guide. Related: How to Prune an Orchid: Step by Step Guide. For Oncidiums, it’s best to pick a pot that’s slightly on the smaller side, as they prefer a snug fit. If you have miniblinds or sheer curtains, you can break the light so that it is more diffused. Sparingly, when pseudobulbs start to wrinkle, Medium-grade mix of 1:1 bark and sphagnum moss, Expose to cooler temperatures to encourage blooming, Weak 30-10-10 fertilizer, every 2 to 3 weeks, Remove old spikes and rotten pseudobulbs, when necessary. Do not expose them to cold drafts or temperatures below about 10° C as that may cause the plant to slow its growth if exposed long. If the leaves are turning much darker, check whether your plant is getting enough Sunlight. This instruction sheet deals with Oncidium types that have thin leaves, pseudobulbs, and branching sprays of bloom. This may induce the plant to flower. A mix of bark and sphagnum moss in equal quantities works best. Too much direct sunlight can actually burn blossoms. When they are first starting to grow and blossom, they need direct sunlight for several hours per day. Wrinkled pseudobulbs are a sign that the orchid needs more water. Related: Orchid Potting Mix: Care Guide & Information, Related: Best Orchid Pots: Beginner’s Buying Guide. I've no problem at all with following rules set by those who know best and even less problem with the very reasonable fees charged by our regulatory agencies. Dancing Lady Orchid Care. They can withstand considerable drought because of their large pseudobulbs. For these reasons, the type of potting medium is very important. Oncidiums grow in the wild, primarily in jungles of Central and South America, and the West Indies. Orchids' exotic blooms add color to your home or garden. A way to check the mix for moisture is by sticking a wooden pencil into the mix about 3-4 inch. On the other hand, if you notice that the top compost is completely dry, it’s usually a sign you should water your orchid again. Plant it with the base of any new growth no more than ½ inch deep in the orchid bark. Although oncidiums are known for their yellow flowers, other varieties are available. Oncidium Watering Schedule. Make sure the water isn’t too cold or hot, as this can damage the roots. Then, start dividing your orchid into pieces with at least 3 to 4 pseudobulbs per piece. Because they have relatively fine roots, don’t use a very coarse mix as you would for a Phalaenopsis – go for a medium-grade mix instead. Clean off the roots of the old mix, being careful not to break the good roots. Overwatering as well as underwatering are common mistakes. Oncidiums store water in their pseudobulbs, making them more tolerant of dry media than wet. The frequency of watering varies with respect to the media used . The most common flower variety is often referred to as the "Dancing Lady". Oncidium Orchid Care. Pot your dancing lady orchid in a special orchid bark mixture, available at nurseries and garden centers. Whenever you are looking at the beautiful flowers splendidly on the branches of the orchid is feeling the happiness of the strange. These trays are nothing more than a water-holding tray filled with gravel. The roots are aerial (because orchid vanda uses them to hold onto the surface). A wrong potting medium can be very dangerous for your Oncidium orchid. If it has turned dark in color, the mix is still wet and you should wait a day or two. To judge whether your plant needs more water, you can look at the pseudobulbs. Keep reading to learn how to grow orchids of all kinds. This is a step by step how to instructional video on how the cut off an old Oncidium Orchid bloom spike. Once they start to blossom and give flowers, it’s important to move your orchid to a cooler place without direct sunlight. east or west windows are ideal. Overwatering as well as underwatering are common mistakes. It is important not to trim the stems of the plant once the flowers have gone, as flowers often bloom on the same stems over and over. It’s fine for the temperature to drop a bit, however, as that will help the plants bloom. Many types of oncidiums will grow under artificial light, Four fluorescent tubes supplemented with incandescent bulbs and placed 6 to 12 inches over the plants are necessary for proper growth. Oncidium orchids, also commonly known as “Dancing Lady” orchids, are known for their vibrant colors and uniquely shaped flowers. When you pull the pencil out, check the wooden end. Simply place the plant into a new pot, placing the oldest growth towards the back of the pot so there is room for the newer growths to develop for about 1-2 years. Generally, the most popular oncidiums, which feature small yellow flowers, large pseudobulbs, and strappy leaves, are intermediate to warm orchids. Many oncidiums will form large clumps of pseudobulbs and develop into rather large plants. Oncidium orchids are specific when it comes to light requirements. Divide, leaving 3 growths per each division. The flower spikes on Oncidiums generally grow to a medium or tall length and branch out in several directions. We can help. Balanced Fertilizer for Growth: 20-20-20 (NPK) – 2 grams per litre of water – Spray once in every alternative weeks (14 Days) - On Blooming Periods (Once in a Month). At home, east or west windows are ideal. If the shadow cast by your hand is clear and dark, you’ll know you have enough light to support an Oncidium. You can use a sterile blade to help, but only when necessary. Once the plant blooms, the flowers can last for a few weeks or even a few months. The distinctive shape of the blooms, carried on many-branched stems give oncidium orchid its common name: Dancing Lady Orchid. Many types of oncidiums will grow under artificial light, Four fluorescent tubes supplemented with incandescent bulbs and placed 6 to 12 inches over the plants are necessary for proper growth. If you’ve accidentally over-watered your orchid, you may find its pseudobulbs starting to go mushy and rotten. The flowers have reduced … I think differently. They can usually survive in leafmold compost but using this medium is not advisable. These types of orchids need enough food to thrive. One way to increase humidity is by placing the plant pot on a flat surface, like a tray, filled with pebbles or rock chips and water (1). The temperature should not drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night. They have been freely hybridized. They can also sometimes grow on rocks. Aug 30, 2015 - Oncidium orchids are known as dancing lady or dancing doll orchids for their distinctive floral design. After the blooming season has finished, you can remove the old flowering spikes from your Oncidium. I got curious and looked at a plant label to learn they are called Oncidiums Alliances or Dancing Lady Orchids. If skies are cloudy, applications once a month are sufficient. Again, you can get a meter to measure this. Oncidiums like to be slightly underpotted in a very free-draining bark-based potting media. Also known as Dancing Lady - Golden Shower, orchid Oncidium flowers bloom into small drops of flowers. You can use a standard household thermometer to measure this. Plant in a bright but shaded position with coarse, very free-draining growing medium and allow to dry before watering. Plants potted in a bark mixture should be carefully pulled out of the pot. Oncidiums prefer clean water without a lot of mineral content. You can find them growing high in the Andes, and in the Amazon rainforest. Orchid Potting Mix: Care Guide & Information, Best Orchid Pots: Beginner’s Buying Guide, How to Repot an Orchid: Step by Step Guide, the flowers can last for a few weeks or even a few months, How Often Do Orchids Bloom? You may need to cut the pot away to avoid damaging the plant. It’s important to know how to water your Oncidium orchid. Remember that it’s best to err on the side of underfeeding your orchid, as too much can burn the delicate roots. These types of orchids generally require lots of food, be it in the wild or when grown in cultivation. The easiest way to propagate a Dancing Lady orchid is by division, once it grows large enough. This will vary depending on the exact species, even with the same genus. The Oncidesa Goldiana produces numerous small 1-2cm yellow flowers on 5-6 branches per 30-40cm spike. Related: How to Propagate Orchids: Complete Care Guide. 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