About
Sharry Baby gx AGM is a spectacular plant when in flower. It is not unusual for the branching spikes to carry well in excess of 100 scented deep-red flowers with white tips which have a pleasing aroma of chocolate.
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 typeConservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
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 mealybugs, aphids and scale insects.
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free