Oncidium Orchid

Scientific Name : Oncidium varicosum

Family : Orchidaceae

Colour : yellow

Common names : Dancing dolls

Oncidiums, commonly, referred to as dancing dolls, are easy to grow and are over 750 species and have thousands of hybrids. These dainty yellow and brown, or white and brown flowers are suitable if used alone or in combination with other orchids. The blooms resembles a girl, in full ruffled skirts, tiny hands and hats. When they are in a breeze, it looks like they are dancing. The flower spikes can grow over four feet in height and can be covered with hundreds of blooms. Each bloom will last only a couple of weeks but, with many species, the flower spikes are so long that it could take weeks for all the blooms to open. They come in many shades of colors and have flowers that can be solid in color, spotted or barred.

Oncidiums are not hard to grow, but their culture will vary according to the species. Some of them like to be grown mounted on cork bark instead of planted in a pot. They like plenty of bright light and the roots need to have a dry period between watering. They require good air movement and humidity between 40% and 60%. Watering should always be done in the morning to ensure total evaporation from the leaves by nightfall. Be sure to allow the plants to become totally dry between watering.

Questions of

Questions & Answers

1.	Posted on : 2.9.2013 By : Shaleen Chikara , Gurgaon, NCR	View Answer (0)	Post Answer X

	I am growing an Orchid in a small pot filled with charcoal (that's how it came). It was flowering when it came, and now I see 3 new shoots emerging from the sides. How should I care for it and how much should I water it? Also, what is a good potting medium? I am living in Delhi, and currently it is monsoon season, but soon dry winters will set in.

2.	Posted on : 24.1.2011 By : shruthi , bangalore	View Answer (2)	Post Answer X

	few of my phaelanopsis orchids started to loose the topmost leaf(the blooms were present) and eventually all the leaves fell off.The roots are fine,not dry totally but will the plant grow back? what could be the problem and what do i do?

A1:	As long as the bulbs are still there and not rotten, it will still grow but takes time to wait for new leaves.
	Posted By :grace de la pena , Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao \| On 9.5.2013

A2:	water got into the center of the plant and rotted must water from the bottom and keep tops dry and no it wont grow back
	Posted By :kevin , las vegas \| On 22.2.2011

3.	Posted on : 5.9.2010 By : Maxine , Spring Hill. Fl, Spring Hill. Fl	View Answer (1)	Post Answer X

	I separated my ground orchid, Spathoglottis plicata this spring as it was over crowed and it has not shown any sige of blooming, What so I need to do to encourage blooming?

A1:	Hi. I had the same problem. However, I solved it with a bi-weekly watering of a small orchid fertilizer (literally 1/8 of a teaspoon). The water itself was taken from my patio pond. I placed the plant in a high humidity area near other plants. Let the plants drain out completely between waterings. The soil mix comprised real, finely chopped coconut bark, crushed egg shells, charcoal, phosphorus, lumus soil - basically nothing compact. Watch out for mealy bugs as they love these plants.
	Posted By :Paulos , Trinidad \| On 15.7.2016

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