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ONCIDIUMS
Oncidiums are among the larger of the orchidaceous genera with an estimated seven
hundred and fifty species that have been named and classified. The habitat of this very large
family extends south from Florida and Mexico, down through the tropical American countries
and all the way to Argentina, with the largest numbers coming from Brazil, Columbia, Equador and
Peru.
'This very beautiful family of orchids, affectionately known as the "Dancing Lady"
orchids, is quite easily grown, the basic requirements being good light, unlimited ventilation
and a good open potting mixture. Add to this a liquid food of any type, be it organic or inorganic
(they have no objection to either and grow successfully with either one). Use this in moderate
quantities, applying a medium strength solution about once a week with abundant water in
between feeds.
Most of these orchids prefer, or rather like, a distinct resting spell after the flowering
period. The length of this spell depends on the variety. Just decrease the water after the
flowering period, and wait until root
Plants grow continually and have no resting
period like many other orchids; as such there is no season
for re-potting. Individual plants should be re-potted when
the pot has become overcrowded and the new growths
reach about 5 cm in height. Re-pot into a larger pot,
taking care not to remove more of the old compost
from the roots than is necessary - a good general rule is
to remove any decayed bulbs and compost, leaving intact
the material that is firm and contains live roots. Slow
release fertiliser can be mixed through the top 2 cm of
the new compost. Newly re-potted plants need a
little extra shade and they should be kept on the dry
side with extra spraying over the leaves in preference to
watering into the pot untilactivity has occurred before
watering is resumed. Growers who follow this practice will be rewarded by a very
handsome display of beautiful flowers, ranging in colours of vivid yellow, brown, red, pink,
white, green and a few combinations of colours in between.
The size of the flower varies from about 1 cm long in the case of the very lovely
dwarf variety Oncidium cheirophorum, to the giant of the family, Oncidium macranthum, which
has a flower of about 10 cms in diameter. The spike length can vary from about 20 or 25
cms in the case of Oncidium cheirophorum, to the amazing length of 3 to four metres as in the
case of Oncidium macranthum. This species only has a very small number of flowers, quite
often less than six although they are of a large size, while the other species, on a well
grown plant, will produce many hundreds of blooms and present a wonderful display of
colour, lasting quite a long time when they are grown under reasonably good conditions.
Quite a large number of varieties or species can be grown in a
bush-house, that has a glass or plastic roof to control the winter rains
which will rot the roots off the plants if they are kept too wet in cold
weather. Some of the easy grown ones would be Oncidium crispum,
flexuosum, forbesii, gardneri, leucochilum, ornithorhyncum, pulvinatum and the very popular
variety varicosum. These will all grow cool and are of very easy culture.
The Oncidiums are an excellent family of orchids to cultivate and can be
recommended for any person who has just recently been bitten by the orchid bug.