Oncidium: home care and flower varieties

Oncidium orchid is a variety of popular culture, which is distinguished by its unusual colors and beauty of flowers. The flowering period is 5 months a year. To achieve this result, home care for the oncidium orchid is important.

Types and varieties

In addition to the varieties listed in the register, there are artificially bred hybrids. They are considered ornamental plants that carry the best characteristics of the crossed species. In total, there are about 700 varieties of oncidium.

The plant is called "dancing dolls" for its special shape.

Most popular:

• Sweet Sugar. The plant is small in size and small buds. It grows in length no more than 35 cm, flowers no more than 3 cm in diameter. It is unpretentious in care and cultivation. The variety was bred specifically for indoor conditions.
• Popcorn variety oncidium. Miniature, up to 12 cm high. The diameter of the buds is only about 1.5 cm. Easy to clean. For cultivation, a container with a diameter of 6 cm is suitable.
• Oncidium variety Twinkle Khanna. It is a compact plant up to 150 cm in height. It blooms 2 times a year in small buds, while the owner does not require much effort. The number of flowers reaches 100 pieces. The color range includes shades from cold white to scarlet. It has a pleasant vanilla aroma.
• Oncidium is yellow. The variety has dense flowers. The upper part of the leaves is lighter than the lower one. The aroma is delicate, subtle and unobtrusive.
• Oncidium morenoi cultivar. It has soft leaves, up to 5 flowers grow on a peduncle. The aroma is weak, pleasant.
• Oncidium is beautiful. Orchids usually have tender and soft leaves. However, this variety has a tougher green mass. On one peduncle, up to 20 buds are found, which reach 6 cm in circumference.
• Lanza variety. This variety is distinguished by flowers of yellow and brown interspersed with a brown tint. One of the perianth flowers is pink-purple in color, which adds attractiveness to the appearance. The peduncle is dense with a large number of buds.
• Oncidium "bird-billed". The compact plant got its name from the elongated shape of the flowers. The buds are creamy. The aroma is sweet, strong. The flowering period is in autumn and winter.

The variety of types allows you to choose the right one for any garden or apartment.

Twinkle Khanna is the most popular variety in the orchid family

Oncidium home care

When choosing a plant, you should pay attention that there are at least 3 developed pseudobulbs on it, and the root system is light brown in color. In this case, there is a chance that the flower will grow and develop at home.

For the full development of culture, it will be necessary to create a favorable climate in the room.

Lighting

The orchid loves full lighting. Despite the fact that she is not afraid of direct sunlight, she should be protected from the bright summer sun.

Depending on the saturation of the shade of the leaves, you can determine the required level of illumination. A dark green color indicates that the illumination is insufficient. Light green leaves with a red spot signal overheating. With a normal dose of ultraviolet light, the green mass is of a classic emerald hue. It is especially important for an orchid to sunbathe during the formation of pseudobulbs and buds.

If the period of formation fell on the cold season, lighting with phytolamps should be provided.

Temperature regime

Hybrids develop well at temperatures between 14 and 25 ° C. If the temperature rises higher, the plant will stop growing. It is also important to ensure that there are no sudden changes.

Watering and feeding

Each stage of flower development has its own watering regime:

• The beginning of growth. The sprout thickens, a pseudobulb is formed. Watering should be plentiful and systemic. For example, in summer, the soil will dry out in 3 days, and in autumn it will take up to a month.
• A month later, a new pseudobulb will begin to form. At this point, irrigation should be stopped. After the end of flowering, you can resume watering, but not so abundantly.

The beginning of the groundbait should coincide with the growth of young shoots. After the appearance of pseudobulbs, fertilization is stopped. It should be remembered that the root system of plants deteriorates from oversaturated soil dressing.

Landing

After purchasing the oncidium twinkle orchid, it is undesirable to transplant it into a new container without a good reason. The plant is difficult to tolerate the change of place and soil. It is recommended to carry out such a procedure no more than 1 time in 3 years. At the bottom, spread the bark of a coniferous tree of a fine fraction. Next, the soil is covered.

In what cases the flower should be transplanted:

• with decay of the root system;
• the orchid is cramped in the container;
• the substrate crumbled.

The plant can be planted in an opaque wide pot as the roots do not require sunlight

Reproduction methods

There are 2 main ways of reproduction of this plant:

1. Division of the bush. The optimal period for the procedure is March. Moreover, it is carried out if the plant has at least 6 pseudobulbs. The fact is that a flower that has 3 pseudobulbs can survive on its own. Before starting the division, the instruments used to make the incisions should be disinfected. Next, sprinkle each cut with crushed coal. Now each of the two parts can be planted in separate pots with a dry substrate. During the week, the sprouts are not watered to avoid rotting at the incision sites.
2. Pseudobulb deposition. Usually, oncidium twinkle splits on its own - a new shoot with separate pseudobulbs just grows. Further, it is enough to split the root systems. In this method, it is also important to use disinfected instruments and sprinkle with activated charcoal the cuts.
   

When choosing a plant in a store, it is important to pay attention to the presence of 3 pseudobulbs. Otherwise, it will be difficult to grow an orchid at home. These light-loving plants are most comfortable at temperatures between 14 and 25 ° C. Moreover, the warmer it is in the room, the more abundant watering of the soil should be. To check the moisture content of the soil, you can deepen your finger 4 cm. If the soil is not dry, it is too early for the next watering.

You should also irrigate oncidium leaves with water heated to 30 ° C. Such manipulations will have a positive effect on flowering.

Orchids should be transplanted no more than once every few years, as they are sensitive and react negatively to soil changes. This procedure is carried out only in extreme cases.

Oncidium is a spectacular orchid popular with flower growers. There are more than 700 varieties of it. These are mainly hybrids of Dutch breeders. These flowers are popular for their attractive appearance, simplicity and unpretentiousness. With proper care, you can fully enjoy the beauty of these plants.