About
An epiphytic, evergreen orchid with narrowly oval, green leaves and branching, erect to arching flower spikes bearing scented flowers up to 3cm across; flowers are deep reddish-pink to purple with a white lip edged dark pink to purple.
About the genus
Oncidium are a large genus of epiphytic orchids; mature plants form clumps of ovoid to conical pseudobulbs, each with 1-3 mid-green, variably-shaped, leathery leaves arising from the tips. Flower panicles from the bases of the pseudobulbs widely differ in colour and shape
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a fine-grade, bark-based epiphytic orchid compost. Provide bright filtered light, good ventilation and in spring and summer water freely as compost dries out, use orchid fertiliser at every third watering and mist regularly for high humidity. Reduce watering in winter and allow a 4 week period of day time temperature around 10°C to encourage flowering. See Oncidium (warm) cultivation
PruningNo pruning required, remove spent flower spikes
PropagationPropagate by division when plants are large enough to be divided into clumps of 2 - 3 pseudobulbs and overflowing the pot
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free