Oncidium Growing Methods and Practical Care Experience Sharing

Gardeners all say that Oncidium is not easy to grow and hard to rebloom, but actually as long as you understand its habits and care for it properly, reblooming is not difficult. Some gardeners also say that Oncidium is only suitable for growing in the south, and that the dry climate of the north makes it hard to grow. Actually this is not the case - as long as you understand its habits and let it adapt to your climate environment, growing Oncidium well is still not difficult.

For Oncidium potting medium, I generally use pure sphagnum moss, or a mix of wood shavings, granular orchid stone and a small amount of peat soil. When planting, the pseudobulbs must be left exposed, because they are aerial roots - if the pseudobulbs are buried underneath, it is very difficult for them to grow vigorously, and producing new shoots is also difficult this way.

Except in winter (Oncidium is not suited to temperatures below 13 degrees Celsius in winter), my Oncidium is placed on a north-facing windowsill in all other seasons, because this way it can receive short periods of morning and evening light, and the sunlight is not too strong (semi-shaded environment). In winter, place it on a south-facing windowsill or in a bright spot with diffused light, to receive sufficient sunlight (northern gardeners have heating indoors in winter and the air is dry, so keep a humid environment for the Oncidium and spray water on it frequently). What Oncidium dreads most is being exposed to the scorching sun. In dry seasons, spray water on the plant every day and keep the potting medium moist. In the humid plum rain season of summer, do not give too much water, otherwise root rot easily occurs (if root rot is discovered, the timely remedy is to take the plant out and let it dry, spray with carbendazim, and then replant it).

Oncidium is prone to black spot disease. I generally cut off the leaves with spots and spray carbendazim twice a week, and the ventilation environment must be good.

Since Oncidium's roots are relatively thin and weak, never use concentrated fertilizer - apply thin fertilizer frequently. I occasionally sprinkle some compound fertilizer into the flower pot, and before blooming, spray diluted phosphorus fertilizer water onto the plant or roots.

During the blooming period, in order to extend the flowering period and let its fragrance linger in the room for a few more days, it is best to place it in a spot where the temperature is not too high and sunlight does not reach, and at this time give less water. My Oncidium's longest flowering period was nearly one month.

I have seen many gardeners who like Oncidium and often ask me about how to care for it. This is just my personal experience in caring for it. You can refer to it for growing according to your local climate environment. As long as you understand and are familiar with it and care for it attentively, it will repay you by blooming with flowers all over its branches.