Oncidium is an unpretentious type of orchid, popular for home breeding. Proper care will ensure regular flowering (every 8-12 months), and the plant will be less susceptible to pests.
In our article we will talk in detail about the peculiarities of the content of this beautiful flower at home. You can also watch a useful video on this topic.
Definition
Oncidium belongs to the Orchid family, some species belong to epiphytes, there are terrestrial specimens and lithophytes. These tropical inhabitants are found in the natural conditions of the countries of Central and South America, in southern Florida and the Antilles.
Detailed description
This orchid is diverse, it is conditionally divided by territorial origin:
Cold resistantIt comes from mountain regions where temperature drops are not rare. Able to transfer the temperature drop to 7 ºС.- Heat lovingliving in the warm climate of tropical forests of southern and Central America.
- Drought resistant. They grow in arid areas, prefer to settle on the stones, because they do not need constant moisture.
Cold resistantIt comes from mountain regions where temperature drops are not rare. Able to transfer the temperature drop to 7 ºС.Leaves of lanceolate type: thin in shade-loving and cruel, leathery in thermophilic. Orchid flowers are collected in a brush, representing the most beautiful inflorescences: arcuate, straight, penetrating. The size of flowers or “dancing pupae” ranges from 1 to 12 cm, and the length of the inflorescence varies from 10 cm to 5 meters.
The predominant color of flowers is red-brown, lemon and yellow. Orchid can bloom in any month of the year.. The same arrow can open flowers two or three times.
History of
Orchid was introduced to Europe in the 18th century. Her first description was made by the Swedish botanist Peter Olof Svarts.
Differences from other species
Oncidium differs from other species in the particular shape of the flower's lower lip.. It has the shape of a skirt, beginning to "dance" with the breeze. This orchid is not like any other species.
Varieties and photos
For growing at home, common species that do not require special efforts to care. Most believe that oncidium has only a brown-yellow color, but they are wrong. It is easy to be convinced of it, looking at a photo.
Yellow
It is the most famous and popular species. The flower is not whimsical to care. The inflorescence consists of a large number of small yellow flowers.
Sweet Sugar
Small double pseudobulbs attached to each other. Peduncle reaches a length of 35 cm. The flowers are yellow, 3 cm in diameter.
We recommend to watch a video about the features of the oncidium "Sweet Sugar":
Brindle
Rare to be found at home. The variety is also unpretentious in the care. The stem with a flower grows up to one meter. The flowers have rich yellow lip and petals of brown-red color..
Twinkle or Twinkle
Refers to miniature varieties. Flowers reach a size of 1.5 cm, white, pale yellow or pink. He feels great in moderate temperature conditions. At night, the temperature is reduced by 3-4 ºС from daytime.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of the Twinkle oncidium:
Winding
It has a long root system and flattened pseudobulbs, separated from each other. On each 1-2 leaves, the length of which reaches 20 cm. Inflorescence loose, with small yellow flowers with red spots.
Bloom
- When and how. Flowering occurs once a year and lasts from 1 to 4 months. Many small flowers form a brush on the peduncle.
- Before and after flowering. Before flowering, plants need watering, feeding and spraying. After flowering, an orchid should be provided with conditions for it to recuperate - with a resting phase.
- What to do if it does not bloom. If the orchid is not flowering, a review of its care is needed. It is important to strictly adhere to the rest phase, to reduce the night temperature by 4 ºС. It is not recommended to remove wrinkled bulbs. Because of this, the orchid will not be able to get the nutrients that are needed for flowering.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of oncidium flowering:
Step-by-step home care instructions
Caring for oncidium is simple. However, the orchid is demanding on temperature.
Choosing a place
In terms of choosing a place for orchids, give preference to the east or west windowswhich is worth a little pritenit in bright sunlight. In the autumn-winter period, with a short daylight, additional illumination with phytolamps is required (3-4 hours per day), since during this period a new pseudobulb is formed and a new peduncle is laid.
Soil preparation and pot
When growing an oncidium orchid, it is possible to use both a ready-made mixture purchased in a specialty store and self-made.
The composition should include:
- pieces of charcoal;
- pine bark;
- sphagnum moss;
- peat.
The plant is planted on the edge of the pot, so that new shoots occupy free space. Orchid pot needs a shallow, but rather wide. It must be made of plastic or unglazed ceramics, and necessarily of an opaque material.
Board: oncideum can be attached to a piece of wood bark using moss pieces as an additional moistening.
Temperature
Hybrid species of this orchid are rather plastic, they feel great in a wide temperature range from +14 to + 26ºС. High temperatures can stop flower growth.
A slight temperature difference of 3 to 4 degrees during the day is recommended.
Humidity
Oncidium feels great under room conditions. Humidity should be 40%, spray only in the summer heat and sometimes during the heating season.
At temperatures below + 18ºС no need to spray. The orchid needs year-round good ventilation. Crude stagnant air and low temperatures contribute to the occurrence of fungal diseases.
Lighting
Oncidium is a light-loving orchid that favors bright light.. It needs to be protected only from summer midday rays.
Leaf color serves as a guide:
- dark green color indicates insufficient light;
- light green leaves, or covered with small red dots of burns - the orchid needs to reduce the intensity of light.
Watering
For the oncidium to bloom regularly, proper flower irrigation is necessary.. It is necessary to place the pot in warm, not hard water. Landmark is drying soil. Depending on the humidity of the season, the regularity of watering varies from 3 to 20 days. As soon as the new bulba watering begins to form, stop.
After the appearance of the peduncle, watering is resumed. Oncidium will not bloom unless it is stopped in a timely manner.
Top dressing
Feed oncidium only when young shoots grow. During the formation of pseudobulb fertilized stop. The resumption of dressings begins during the growth of the peduncle and ends as soon as the first flowers open. Subsequently, fertilizers are not applied until new shoots start to grow.
The root system of this orchid is sensitive to the salinization of the substrate, so the concentration of even fertilizer for orchids needs to be reduced, and some fertilizing should be carried out on the leaves, spray them with a weak solution of fertilizer (diluted 10 times the recommended dosage).
Transfer
Unnecessarily, the orchid should not be disturbed.. Transplantation is possible no more than once every three years.
Care must be taken to remove the clod from the weave of the substrate with the root system (pre-moistened) from the old pot.- Then transfer it to a newly prepared pot, with a three-centimeter layer of drainage.
- Pseudobulb should not be dredged, young should be placed in the center, and old ones should be placed at the edge of the pot.
- Carefully fill the root system with the substrate.
Care must be taken to remove the clod from the weave of the substrate with the root system (pre-moistened) from the old pot.We recommend to watch the video about the correct transplant of oncidium:
Breeding
Orchid can be propagated at home vegetatively, by dividing the orchard. The process of division in oncidiums is much simpler, in contrast to the monopodial phalaenopsis. They start to divide when the pseudobulbs reach six or more, in the group there should be no less than three processes, since in this case the delans are viable.
Using a sharp knife, cut the underground stalk, and sprinkle the incision with coal with plenty. During the period of division the soil should be dry. So that the wound could dry out the soil, it is not worth watering for 7-10 days.
We recommend to watch the video on the reproduction of oncidium by the division method:
Diseases and pests
Purchased orchid placed in quarantine for a month to observe. Oncidium attack various pests. More often the orchid suffers from:
- Mealybug. Signs of his presence are small cotton balls. Their removal from the leaflet is carried out with the help of an alcoholized cotton pad, and then treatment with Aktar is performed.
- Spider mite. Its presence is determined by noticeable small thin spiderwebs and white dots. The orchid is washed under a warm shower and processed by Actellic.
- Aphids. As a result of sucking juice for aphids, the leaves dry and fall. Treatment with Aktellik or Karbofos is required.
Do not pereuvlazhnyat soil, it will lead to root rot. For treatment apply Fundazol.
Prevention of various problems
Prevention consists in regular proper care of the oncidium orchid. Withstand the rest phase, prevent drafts, overheating, in time to carry out the introduction of dressings.
Conclusion
Despite more careful care, unlike other plants, it is worth trying to start an oncidium orchid at home. Even one copy on the window during flowering is able to provide a sense of celebration.
