 Oncidium Twinkle Yellow Sunlight. Etsy store Machiela . Purchased 10/22/2024 |
 Oncidium Twinkle White Shower, received 10/26/2024. About 8-inch tall. |
 Oncidium Yellow Sunlight, received 10/21/2024. |
Oncidiums are popular indoor orchids for a very good reason—their large sprays of flowers often sag with dozens of blooms and pseudobulbs (a bulbous thickened area of the stem) that come up from a mass of thin white roots. 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.
Light: Oncidiums are much more forgiving of bright or direct light than other popular orchids, especially the Phalaenopsis. Oncidiums can handle direct morning light and even prefer bright to very bright conditions. They tend to enjoy the same light that Dendrobium species orchids prefer.
Soil: Oncidium orchids are epiphytic plants that do not grow in traditional soil or potting mix at all, but rather they are normally potted in a bark-based potting medium. This medium is typically sold as orchid mix, and has very good drainage.
Water: Oncidiums like to dry out between watering. Most need to be watered every two to ten days during the growing season when the soil is about half dried out. 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 make sure your potting media is free draining.
Temperature and Humidity: Oncidiums can be found in many habitats, from semiarid subtropical lowlands to cool and misty cloud forests. The ideal growing environment is 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night, and 80 to 85 degrees during the day. Temperatures up to 95 to 100 degrees can be tolerated if these high temps are matched by increased humidity and air circulations. Humidity levels should be kept between 30 and 60 percent. It can be difficult to maintain proper humidity in regions with cold, dry winter air, so using a room humidifier—or placing the pot on a shallow water-filled dish filled with pebbles—is recommended.
Fertilizer: During the growing season, feed with a weak orchid fertilizer bimonthly or scatter slow-release pellets in the growing media at the beginning of the season. A 30-10-10 formulation is a good choice for bark-based potting mix; for woods slabs, use a 20-20-20 formulation. Although there are many species, in general, the larger the plant, the more heavily it will feed.
Oncidium Grooming aos