Orchid oncidium: the best species, tips for content

Orchid oncidium: the best species, tips for contentOncidium (Latin Oncidium) – a genus belonging to the Orchid family, which includes plants with different environmental requirements and differing appearance. Some species prefer to grow in hot, arid corners of the globe, while others settle in tropical rainforests and mountains. The oncidium orchid is very popular among many flower growers due to its spectacular, long-lasting flowering and its ability to thrive in indoor conditions.

Description

Oncidium is a herbaceous flowering plant with a massive short or long rhizome, with the help of which it is firmly fixed to the earth’s surface, to rocks, and a tree trunk. Pseudobulbs are bright green, can be oval or oval-elongated. The length of the aboveground part of this culture ranges from 10 to 50 cm and depends on the variety.

On pseudobulbs 1 – 3 leaves are formed. Leaves of oncidium are sessile, linear, pointed or slightly rounded at the end, dense, smooth. On a peduncle with a length of 10 cm to 5 m there are branches on which flowers of bright colors develop, with a diameter of 2 – 10 cm. On the surface of the petals there are spots, stripes, dots. Flowering lasts 1 time per year, but in good conditions it can happen again. Properly regulated irrigation plays an important role in this case.

In specialized stores, you can buy hybrids of the oncidium orchid, obtained by crossing different species of this plant. They are quite unpretentious to growing conditions, bloom for several months, pleasing the eye with buds of unusual shapes and colors.

Species and hybrids

Orchid oncidium: the best species, tips for content

Oncidium is yellow.

It is valued for its intense long flowering, during which 15 – 25 golden flowers with a diameter of 5 – 6 cm are formed on straight peduncles. There is a brown or terracotta spot in the central part of the buds. The flowers of yellow oncidium bloom at the same time, so the orchid looks very beautiful for 4 weeks.

Orchid oncidium: the best species, tips for content

Oncidium Bird-billed.

A low orchid with narrow leaves about 30 cm long. Peduncles are straight, graceful, slightly more than half a meter long, with racemose inflorescences. The petals combine 3 shades: yellow, cream, brown. The flowering of this species can be observed in autumn and winter. The flowers have a pleasant vanilla aroma.

Orchid oncidium: the best species, tips for content

Oncidium Twinkle is a compact plant with large obovate pseudobulbs.

Each pseudobulb develops 2 – 3 linear bright green leaf plates. On straight peduncles, up to 50 small-sized pale pink flowers are formed. The plant pleases the eye with its beauty for 3 – 4 weeks. In the morning, the buds exude a sweet aroma.

Orchid oncidium: the best species, tips for content

Beautiful Oncidium (Oncidium splendidum).

One of the popular types of oncidium, characterized by narrow, curved emerald-colored leaves. The flowers are rich yellow, with terracotta patterns on the petals.

Orchid oncidium: the best species, tips for content

Oncidium Lanza (Oncidium lanceanum).

Hybrid with petals completely covered with large brown spots. The lip is voluminous, light lilac, with a purple spot in the center.

Orchid oncidium: the best species, tips for content

Tiger Oncidum (Oncidium tigrinum).

A rare species characterized by narrow brindle petals and a large protruding yellow lip.

Orchid oncidium: the best species, tips for content

Oncidium Sweet Sugar – a hybrid intended for breeding at home.

Differs in high decorativeness and unpretentiousness to care. It has narrow, pointed at the end, dark green leaves. Peduncle is straight, thin, forming about 10 buds. The flowers are yellow, with a reddish-brown spot on the lip.

Landing

Planting an orchid is carried out in a new pot immediately after purchasing it in the store and in the event that the flower has become cramped in the previous container. Usually this culture is transplanted once every 1-3 years. The pot should be wide and shallow. A thick layer of drainage is placed on the bottom of the pan. Before planting, the roots of the oncidium orchid are inspected for damage and decaying parts, which are removed.

The pot is filled with orchid substrate, consisting of small fractions of coniferous bark, pieces of charcoal, sphagnum. You can prepare a composition from particles of pine bark, or the bark of any coniferous tree, perlite and charcoal. Lay a layer of moss on top. Since the shoots of this plant develop in one direction, it should not be placed in the central part of the container, but slightly from the edge. Only the roots should be covered with the substrate, pseudobulbs remain on the surface of the soil composition. If necessary, supports are installed next to the plant. The oncidium planted in a new container is placed in a shaded place and watered only after a week.

If the florist is faced with the task of growing roots after buying an orchid, after planting, the flower should be well fixed in the pot so that it does not “dangle”, since the growing roots can be injured and fall off. Replace the first month of watering with spraying from a spray bottle. Before planting, you can hold the plant for several hours in water with a solution that stimulates root growth.

Care

Compliance with certain rules for the care and maintenance of the oncidium orchid at home will help to be the owner of a healthy, beautifully and abundantly blooming exotic culture for a long time.

Lighting. An orchid can successfully develop and bloom only in bright light, but the direct rays of the midday sun will burn the petals and leaves, therefore, it is optimal to place the plant on a window of western and eastern orientation. When grown in the northern part of the room, the use of fluorescent lamps will be required. The fact that the flower receives less light will be evidenced by the brightened leaf plates.

Orchid oncidium: the best species, tips for content

Air temperature. The air temperature requirement depends on the type of oncidium. So, some of them are thermophilic and feel comfortable at temperatures up to 24 – 31 degrees. In winter, they should be kept in a temperature range of 16 – 18 degrees. Other types require maintenance in rooms with a moderate air temperature of 18 – 23 degrees and with a winter range of 12 – 14 degrees. Cold-loving species prefer to grow at an air temperature not exceeding 21 degrees. In winter, the temperature range for them should be 7 – 10 degrees.

Watering. The intensity of watering should be adjusted depending on the season. During the development of pseudobulbs, it is necessary to moisten the substrate often and abundantly. It is recommended to carry out water procedures by completely immersing the pot in water. Stagnation of moisture in the soil and its drying out should not be allowed.

Orchid oncidium: the best species, tips for content

Air humidity. The higher the temperature of the air where oncidium is contained, the higher the humidity should be. If the percentage of humidity is insufficient, it should be increased using a special device – a humidifier. It is useful to carry out procedures such as spraying the flower with warm, settled water, or wiping the leaves with a damp cloth. The room where the orchid grows must be regularly ventilated. It is important to remember that drafts negatively affect the plant and lead to the development of diseases.

Top dressing. Fertilizer is applied during the period of shoot growth. During the development of pseudobulbs, fertilizing should be stopped and this work should be resumed only with the beginning of the growth of the peduncle. It is necessary to feed the orchid until the buds begin to bloom. As a top dressing, a mineral complex for orchids is suitable.

Pests and diseases. Among the most common pests of oncidiums, the mealybug is distinguished, which is recognized by the presence of white fluffy lumps on parts of the plant. To destroy the pest, the orchid should be treated with an insecticide, for example, Aktara.

Another harmful insect that infects this culture is the scale insect. Having found an insect, you should wipe the leaves with a napkin dipped in soapy water, then rinse with clean water. Repeat treatment every other day.

If the orchid is constantly in a room with dry air, spider mites may appear on it. White cobwebs appear on the leaves and other parts of the plant. Wiping the leaf plates with soapy water and spraying with Fitoverm will help to eliminate the insect.

Reproduction

At home, the orchid is propagated by dividing the bush. This work is carried out during transplantation, waiting for the oncidium to develop at least six pseudobulbs. Each section should have 3 strong sprouts. A sharp disinfected knife is used for division.

Orchid oncidium: the best species, tips for content

Before carrying out work, the plant must be removed from the pot, clear the roots from the ground, then divide the bush into parts. Sprinkle the cut areas with charcoal to prevent the development of fungus. Plant each cut in a separate container, remove for a week in a shaded place. Water after 1 – 1.5 weeks.

Anna Evans

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