How to grow Cattleya orchids semi-hydroponically? A detailed guide to cultivation key points
Cattleya orchids have a very distinctive appearance and vivid colors, making them a flower variety beloved by many growers. But many growers may not know that Cattleya can actually be grown semi-hydroponically. Here is a brief introduction to the semi-hydroponic method for Cattleya and the points to note.
Cattleya orchids (detailed introduction) have a very distinctive appearance and vivid colors, making them a flower variety beloved by many growers. But many growers may not know that Cattleya can actually be grown semi-hydroponically. Here is a brief introduction to the semi-hydroponic method for Cattleya and the points to note.
Cattleya orchid (detailed introduction)
Cattleya is an orchid very well suited to the semi-hydroponic method. Under a coarse clay pebble substrate it roots very well, and new roots grow rapidly. After switching to the semi-hydroponic method, the second shoot produced is noticeably more robust than previous shoots. During cultivation, pay attention to water control; the water reservoir at the bottom of the container should be rather shallow, and watering should only be done 1 day after the water has completely dried out. Cattleya root development has a particular characteristic: once a new shoot begins to grow, root growth enters a state of stagnation, and new roots only begin to emerge after the new leaves have unfurled. If a newly purchased plant carries a new shoot, it often takes 1 to 2 months for the new leaves to mature before new root growth is seen. Because the semi-hydroponic method allows direct observation of new root growth, some orchid growers, seeing that new roots are slow to appear, assume the planting has failed, but this is not the case. During this period, one must be patient and not rush to fertilize or overwater. Brassavola orchids differ from Cattleya in that new shoots and new roots grow together, and they also adapt very well to the semi-hydroponic method, with thick and numerous roots; this variety should be watered with appropriate restraint. Most tropical orchids can be grown using the semi-hydroponic method.
Oncidium Oncidium Oncidium guide: how to grow Oncidium / how to propagate Oncidium
Oncidium profileOncidium Oncidium
Oncidium cultivation methods and points to note: an introduction to Oncidium
Oncidium, also known as dancing-lady orchid, golden butterfly orchid, and tuberculate-lipped orchid, is the collective name for plants in the genus Oncidium of the orchid family. The genus has as many as 750 or more native species worldwide, while the commercially used varieties in all their diversity are mostly hybrids. The plants are light and elegant, the flower stems slender and drooping, and the flowers strange and lovely, shaped like flying golden butterflies and full of movement, making them one of the world's important potted flower and cut flower types.
Morphological characteristics of Oncidium
Leaves number 1 to 3, and the species can be divided into thin-leaved types, thick-leaved types and sword-leaved types. Generally there is only 1 flower stem per pseudobulb, though robustly growing plants may have 2 flower stems. Some types have only 1 to 2 flowers per stem, while others may reach several hundred; for example, the small-flowered types used as cut flowers have several dozen flowers per stem, and several stems yield one hundred to several hundred flowers. The flowers are brightly colored, shaped like flying golden butterflies and also like gracefully dancing ladies, hence the names golden butterfly orchid and dancing-lady orchid. The flower colors of Oncidium are mainly yellow and brown, with green, white, red and magenta also present. Sizes range from extremely small, such as miniature Oncidium, to extremely large, with flower diameters reaching more than 12 cm. The flower structure is highly distinctive: the sepals of the flower calyx are equal in size, and the petals are also nearly equal to or slightly larger than the dorsal sepal; the lip of the flower is usually three-lobed, either large or small, fiddle-shaped, with a ridge-like protrusion at the base of the mid-lobe, and on the ridge are small raised spots, quite unusual, hence the name tuberculate-lipped orchid.
Oncidium is an epiphytic orchid with oval, spindle-shaped, round or flattened-round pseudobulbs (false bulbs), and its growth characteristics are its vegetative propagation form; the pseudobulb is where nutrients are stored and supplied, enlarging with vegetative growth and shrinking with reproductive growth. New shoots of the plant begin to grow from the base of the original pseudobulb around February (in this province, because it lies in the subtropics, growth can occur almost year-round). High temperatures promote the growth and development of new shoots, which gradually form new pseudobulbs. After the pseudobulb matures, axillary buds are produced anew at the original base and differentiate into flower stems; the flower stems grow rapidly after July and bloom in mid-October. In this province, because of the high ground temperatures, the timing of flower bud differentiation depends on the maturity of the pseudobulb, so although there is a peak flowering period in early autumn, flower stem formation can be seen year-round, which is truly an advantageous condition for Oncidium cut flower cultivation.
Stem
It is an epiphytic orchid with oval, spindle-shaped, round or flattened-round pseudobulbs (false bulbs), and its growth characteristics are its vegetative propagation form; the pseudobulb is where nutrients are stored and supplied, enlarging with vegetative growth and shrinking with reproductive growth.
Leaf
According to leaf type, it can be divided into five types: the thick-leaved series, the thick-leaved series with pseudobulbs, the thin-leaved series with pseudobulbs, the fan-leaved series and the rod-leaved series.
Flower
Flower colors are mostly in the yellow range; in addition there are also magenta, purple, yellow-green, pink, tea-brown patterned, and special flower colors such as purple-red, spotted, white-skirted and orange.
Ecological habits of Oncidium
Oncidium is native to the United States, Mexico, Guyana and Peru. The original leaf type (also called the hard-leaved type) Oncidium prefers warm and hot environments, while the thin-leaved type (also called the soft-leaved type) and the sword-leaved type Oncidium prefer cool climates. The suitable growth temperature for thick-leaved Oncidium is 18 to 25°C, with winter temperatures not below 12°C. The suitable growth temperature for the thin-leaved type is 10 to 22°C, with winter temperatures not below 8°C.
Oncidium prefers humid and semi-shaded environments. Besides watering to increase substrate moisture, spraying water on the leaves and ground is even more important; increasing air humidity is more beneficial to the growth of leaves and flower stems. Hard-leaved varieties have strong drought tolerance; not watering for a long time in winter did not cause drying to death, showing their strong endurance. Large-scale production requires shade netting, with a shading rate of 40% to 50% being suitable. In winter, ample sunlight is needed and shade netting is generally not used, which benefits flowering.
Grown in pots or planting beds with fern roots, moss, volcanic ash, bark chunks, etc. Thin-leaved types have relatively thin leaves.
Cultivation techniques for Oncidium
Potted Oncidium commonly uses 15 cm pots, and can also be grown on fern boards or fern columns. The commonly used substrate is 40% crushed fern root, 10% peat soil, 20% crushed charcoal, 20% vermiculite, and 10% sphagnum moss. Placing more crushed tiles and crushed bricks at the bottom of the pot is beneficial for aeration and drainage. Flowering plants are best planted after the flowers fade, and non-flowering plants before sprouting, which benefits the growth of new roots in Oncidium. May to October is the vigorous growth period for Oncidium, and fertilizer is applied once every half month. During the winter dormant period, fertilizing and watering can be stopped, and spraying water can be increased to raise air humidity. Liquid fertilizer leaches away severely, so every half month a 0.05% to 0.1% compound fertilizer can be sprayed on the leaves as a supplement. After flowering, faded flower stems and dead leaves should be promptly removed. Most types of Oncidium are grown in pots. The potting medium is similar to that for growing Phalaenopsis. Such as sphagnum moss, crushed fern root, wood shavings, charcoal, perlite, crushed brick pieces, peat soil, etc. These medium combinations give good results; for example, a mix of 40% fine fern root, 10% peat soil, 20% charcoal, 20% perlite or vermiculite, and 10% crushed stone and crushed brick pieces works well. When planting, use crushed stone or crushed brick to pad about 1/3 of the bottom of the pot to facilitate aeration and drainage. The pots used for cultivation can be plastic pots, unglazed clay pots, porcelain pots, etc. For Oncidium grown for more than 2 to 3 years, the plant gradually grows larger and produces small offsets, and the root system becomes overcrowded, so repotting is necessary in time. Repotting is usually done after flowering; for non-flowering plants, it can be chosen before the growth period, such as in early spring or after the weather turns cool in autumn. The growing medium should be replaced at the same time, and repotting can be combined with division.
In summer, attention should be paid to shading, and when temperatures are too high, cooling should be done promptly. In midsummer and autumn, water thoroughly once every day, that is, water until water comes out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Fertilizing with compound chemical fertilizer is preferable; use light fertilizer and avoid concentrated fertilizer, and fertilize in the early morning or after 3 p.m. July and August are the period when plants send up flower spikes; during this period, because of high temperature and high humidity, bacterial soft rot is likely to occur, which in severe cases can cause plant death. For this reason, the medium in the pot can be dried in the sun on sunny days, as bacteria do not easily reproduce under dry conditions; at the same time, promptly cut off rotten leaves and rotten stems. Before entering the high-temperature, high-humidity season, fertilizing should be strengthened, especially increasing the proportion of potassium fertilizer, to cultivate strong seedlings and enhance the plant's disease resistance. In daily management, Oncidium's environmental requirements are generally not very strict.
Greenhouse cultivation temperature management:During the seedling acclimation stage, the daytime temperature is 25 to 28°C and the nighttime temperature is 23 to 25°C. New roots sprout and grow quickly; after new roots have grown, the temperature can be relaxed somewhat, but maintaining the above temperatures is beneficial to orchid seedling growth. After the bulb matures, when the day/night temperatures are (26 to 29°C)/(23 to 25°C), Oncidium can shift from vegetative growth to reproductive growth. The flowering period of Oncidium is relatively short; to prolong the flowering period, the temperature can be appropriately lowered. The suitable growth temperature for Oncidium is 12 to 33°C; below 12°C photosynthesis stops. If low temperature lasts more than 6 to 8 hours, freezing damage will occur; above 33°C growth and development are also hindered, and especially under strong light the orchid seedlings will be scorched. Temperature changes should not be too drastic, otherwise bud drop is easily caused.
Humidity management: Relative humidity should be controlled at 60% to 80%. For newly planted small seedlings the humidity should be around 80%. Humidity should not be too high or too low; too high makes plants prone to disease infection, too low is unfavorable to orchid growth. In hot summer, water should be sprayed on the ground around the plants, on the benches and on the leaves to increase air humidity, and at the same time good ventilation should be maintained, otherwise the plants will grow poorly and the pseudobulbs will easily rot. Pay special attention not to pour large amounts of water into the pot to raise humidity, otherwise root rot is very easily caused. Humidity changes should also not be too great, otherwise it is not only unfavorable to growth but also very likely to cause bud drop.
Light management: Light should not be too strong or too weak. Too strong easily causes scorch disease; in mild cases the tissue is injured and the leaves turn yellow, and in severe cases they turn grayish-white and anthracnose is triggered. Too weak light reduces photosynthetic capacity, causing leaves to grow leggy, weak and drooping, which is unfavorable to flower bud differentiation, results in fewer flowers, and causes poor growth. For newly planted seedlings, light should be 10000 to 15000 lux; as the seedlings grow, light gradually increases, up to 30000 to 35000 lux. Under these light conditions, Oncidium flower bud differentiation is fast, and vegetative growth can better convert to reproductive growth. Generally, shading is 60% to 75% in summer and 40% to 50% in spring and autumn.
Water and fertilizer management: The general watering principle is alternating dry and wet; each watering should be thorough, and the next watering should wait until the substrate is slightly dry. In spring, just after division, water less; in summer the plants grow vigorously and evaporate water quickly, so water more. Watering once a day is acceptable. After watering in the morning, spray water on the leaves in the afternoon; this mist not only lowers leaf surface temperature but can also, from time to time, enhance the plant's respiratory function. After evening, spraying should generally no longer be done, otherwise the leaves retain water for too long and disease is easily induced. Because the Oncidium growing substrate is mainly coconut husk and stones, which do not easily retain water or fertilizer, some slow-release fertilizer should be placed in the pot to increase fertilizer efficiency. Fertilizer type and amount should be adjusted according to plant growth conditions; generally one fertilizer application then one watering, or two fertilizer applications then one watering. To prevent pathogens from breeding in the coconut husk, 1000-fold carbendazim solution or 1500-fold thiophanate-methyl solution can be applied regularly; the substrate pH value should be controlled at 5.5 to 6.5, and the EC value at 1.2 to 1.6 mS/cm.
Cultivation key point - location: Thick-leaved Oncidium can be grown relatively extensively; thin-leaved Oncidium, besides needing an orchid shed, is best also provided with a greenhouse for winter insulation.
Planting: Most types of Oncidium are grown in pots. The potting medium is similar to that for growing Phalaenopsis. Such as sphagnum moss, fine tree fern fiber, charcoal, perlite, crushed brick pieces, peat soil, etc. These medium combinations give good results. When planting, use crushed stone or crushed brick to pad about 1/3 of the bottom of the pot to facilitate aeration and drainage. The pots used for cultivation can be plastic pots, unglazed clay pots, porcelain pots, etc. For Oncidium grown for more than 2 to 3 years, the plant gradually grows larger and produces small offsets, and the root system becomes overcrowded, so repotting is necessary in time. Repotting is usually done after flowering; for non-flowering plants, it can be chosen before the growth period, such as in early spring or after the weather turns cool in autumn. The growing medium should be replaced at the same time, and repotting can be combined with division.
Light: The adaptable light for Oncidium is similar to that for Cattleya; generally shading is 50% to 60% in summer and 20% to 30% of sunlight in winter. If sunlight is too strong, growth is slow, plants are short and sunscald occurs, and finally the leaves dry up and even the whole plant dies. If shade is too heavy, insufficient light causes poor leaf growth, affects flower bud differentiation, significantly reduces flowering, and sometimes even prevents flowering.
Temperature: Generally thick-leaved Oncidium prefers warmth, with a suitable growth temperature of 18 to 25°C, and protection against cold is needed below 12°C. It is more suitable for cultivation in South China. Thin-leaved Oncidium prefers cool conditions and cannot tolerate high temperatures, with a suitable growth temperature of 10 to 22°C; it is difficult to adapt on flat land and should be cultivated in cool mid-altitude areas, but when the winter cold wave comes, it should also be placed in a greenhouse to overwinter.
Water: Oncidium, like most tropical orchids, likes relatively high air humidity, but because different types of Oncidium differ greatly in plant size, their drought resistance also differs. Varieties without pseudobulbs have poor drought resistance, so the substrate in the pot should be kept moist regularly, and water should be replenished as soon as the substrate dries. Reducing water in winter is beneficial to flowering, and watering should be stopped when the temperature is below 10°C. In hot summer, water should be sprayed on the ground around the plants, on the benches, on the pathways and on the plants to increase air humidity, otherwise growth will be affected.
Fertilizer: First use a small amount of slow-release fertilizer as a base fertilizer, then apply 1500 to 2000-fold liquid water-soluble quick-acting fertilizer once every 2 to 3 weeks. Before flowering, apply a compound fertilizer balanced in the "three elements" of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which can be sprayed on the leaves or applied to the roots. Near flowering, supplement phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote flower bud differentiation and flowering.
Cultivation facilities
The most suitable growth temperature for Oncidium is 18 to 25°C, and the relative air humidity is 75% to 85%. Light intensity is 10000 to 25000 lux. Small seedlings have low growth and generally a light intensity of 5000 to 15000 lux is suitable; medium and large seedlings have greater growth and generally a light intensity of 15000 to 25000 lux is suitable. The shade canopy should not be too low; 4 to 4 m is suitable, as too low affects ventilation. The cultivation bench should be 0.6 to 1.0 m.
Cultivation substrate
The substrate required by Oncidium should be airy, breathable and well-draining. Commonly used substrates include bark, fern root, sphagnum moss, charcoal, etc. In practice it is believed that using sphagnum moss for small seedlings and charcoal as the cultivation substrate for medium and large seedlings has the characteristics of good growth and low cost. Charcoal should preferably be 0.5 to 2 cm, and should be soaked and rinsed in water before planting to remove charcoal powder. For potting, it is advisable to choose unglazed clay pots with many pores or shallow pots of smaller volume. Use tree fern fiber, charcoal residue and coconut coir as the growing medium, and add small brick pellets or weathered stone at the bottom of the pot to facilitate drainage and moisture retention. After the plant is planted, a layer of sphagnum can be spread on the pot surface to prevent drought and retain moisture, which is beneficial to the growth of aerial roots.
Fertilizer and water management - fertilizer and water management for small seedlings
After sufficient hardening off and washing clean, use rinsed sphagnum moss as the substrate and plant in Ф3 cm soft plastic cups. On the day of planting, spray a mixture of 1000-fold 65% haoshengling and 3000-fold 72% agricultural streptomycin sulfate to prevent disease. When the sphagnum in the pot is relatively dry, water half-way with clean water to make the sphagnum moist. After about 15 days new roots begin to grow, and 3000-fold 20-20-20 Peters fertilizer can be applied, once a week.
Repotting and fertilizer and water management for medium and large pots
After 3 to 4 months, when small seedlings have grown to 4 to 6 pseudobulbs, with a dense root system and some roots growing out of the pot, they should be repotted. When repotting, first take the small seedling out of the pot and place it in a plastic pot with a small amount of charcoal pieces as a base, then add an appropriate amount of charcoal pieces around the plant. After 5 to 6 months, when medium seedlings have grown to 6 to 8 pseudobulbs and the root system has wrapped the charcoal pieces well, the medium seedlings should be repotted.
Fertilizer and water management for medium and large seedlings
On the day of repotting small and medium seedlings, spray once with a mixture of 1000-fold 65% haoshengling and 3000-fold 72% agricultural streptomycin sulfate to prevent disease, and water once 3 to 5 days after planting. Because of summer and autumn and dry weather, the number of waterings should be increased and leaf-surface water should be sprayed once daily; in dry and cold winter weather, spray leaf-surface water once every 2 to 3 days, and water thoroughly once every 6 to 7 days. April to October is the peak growth period for Oncidium; during this time, 5-11-26 Peters fertilizer should also be applied 1 to 2 times per month to prevent leggy growth and improve disease resistance. In addition, calcium should be appropriately supplemented to increase leaf thickness.
Cultivation conditions for Oncidium
Temperature: Because there are many varieties of Oncidium, and the native environmental and climatic differences among varieties are very great, it is difficult to state its growth temperature precisely. However, generally speaking, Oncidium should not be grown in an environment where the temperature is too low. When the temperature is below 10°C, Oncidium will be harmed, but for some varieties less tolerant of low temperatures, when the temperature is 12°C they will die from cold damage. However, under high-temperature conditions, Oncidium must be in a well-ventilated environment to get through safely.
Sunlight
No matter which type of Oncidium, it can only accept direct sunlight in winter, while in the other three seasons shading must be added to achieve sunlight similar to that of its native habitat. Summer sunlight is the strongest, so when cultivating outdoors, a 50% to 60% shade net must be added, otherwise the leaves are easily scorched by sunlight; in spring and autumn, sunlight is softer than in summer, and generally only about 30% shade netting is needed to protect the orchid plants.
Watering
Most Oncidium plants prefer a drier environment, so when watering, the degree of substrate dryness should be used as the standard; when the substrate surface is dry, water thoroughly immediately. In the vigorous growth season, because water demand increases, it is best to water once each morning and evening; when winter temperatures are lower, watering should be stopped to help them overwinter smoothly.
Ventilation
Good air circulation is a necessary condition when cultivating orchids, and Oncidium is no exception, especially for lines with pseudobulbs and thin leaves, as a stuffy and hot environment easily causes disease. The summer temperature in Taiwan, China is somewhat hot for Oncidium; besides sprinkling water around the cultivation environment, the solution is also to strengthen ventilation, which can better help the orchid plants cool down.
Fertilizing
The timing of fertilization must match the plant's growth condition. Although the growth conditions of different Oncidium varieties are not consistent, the general basic principles of fertilization can still be followed. First, when the plant sends up flower stems, fertilization should be stopped until after the flowering period, when fertilization can resume; second, when the temperature is below 10°C, fertilization must also be stopped. At other times, diluted liquid fertilizer can be applied 2 to 3 times per month, and solid fertilizer can also be applied at the same time.
Potting medium and repotting
Because Oncidium prefers a drier environment, a medium with good drainage and aeration should be used, so tree fern fiber is the best choice; it is best to add a little water-retaining sphagnum moss, which can make the plant grow even better. Repotting of Oncidium is usually carried out after the flowering period of the orchid plant, and repotting once every 2 to 3 years is sufficient.
Propagation
Division is the main propagation method, and the best time for division propagation is also after the flowering period, so when division is needed, it can be done at the same time as repotting.
Daily management - temperature management
During the seedling acclimation stage, the daytime temperature is 25 to 28°C and the nighttime temperature is 23 to 25°C. New roots sprout and grow quickly; after new roots have grown, the temperature can be relaxed somewhat, but maintaining the above temperatures is beneficial to orchid seedling growth. After the bulb matures, when the day/night temperatures are (26 to 29°C)/(23 to 25°C), Oncidium can shift from vegetative growth to reproductive growth. The flowering period of Oncidium is relatively short; to prolong the flowering period, the temperature can be appropriately lowered. The suitable growth temperature for Oncidium is 12 to 33°C; below 12°C photosynthesis stops. If low temperature lasts more than 6 to 8 hours, freezing damage will occur; above 33°C growth and development are also hindered, and especially under strong light the orchid seedlings will be scorched. Temperature changes should not be too drastic, otherwise bud drop is easily caused.
Humidity management
Relative humidity should be controlled at 60% to 80%. For newly planted small seedlings the humidity should be around 80%. Humidity should not be too high or too low; too high makes plants prone to disease infection, too low is unfavorable to orchid growth. In hot summer, water should be sprayed on the ground around the plants, on the benches and on the leaves to increase air humidity, and at the same time good ventilation should be maintained, otherwise the plants will grow poorly and the pseudobulbs will easily rot. Pay special attention not to pour large amounts of water into the pot to raise humidity, otherwise root rot is very easily caused. Humidity changes should also not be too great, otherwise it is not only unfavorable to growth but also very likely to cause bud drop.
Light management
Light should not be too strong or too weak. Too strong easily causes scorch disease; in mild cases the tissue is injured and the leaves turn yellow, and in severe cases they turn grayish-white and anthracnose is triggered. Too weak light reduces photosynthetic capacity, causing leaves to grow leggy, weak and drooping, which is unfavorable to flower bud differentiation, results in fewer flowers, and causes poor growth. For newly planted seedlings, light should be 10000 to 15000 lux; as the seedlings grow, light gradually increases, up to 30000 to 35000 lux. Under these light conditions, Oncidium flower bud differentiation is fast, and vegetative growth can better convert to reproductive growth. Generally, shading is 60% to 75% in summer and 40% to 50% in spring and autumn.
Water and fertilizer management
The general watering principle is alternating dry and wet; each watering should be thorough, and the next watering should wait until the substrate is slightly dry. In spring, just after division, water less; in summer the plants grow vigorously and evaporate water quickly, so water more. Watering once a day is acceptable. After watering in the morning, spray water on the leaves in the afternoon; this mist not only lowers leaf surface temperature but can also, from time to time, enhance the plant's respiratory function. After evening, spraying should generally no longer be done, otherwise the leaves retain water for too long and disease is easily induced. Because the Oncidium growing substrate is mainly coconut husk and stones, which do not easily retain water or fertilizer, some slow-release fertilizer should be placed in the pot to increase fertilizer efficiency. Fertilizer type and amount should be adjusted according to plant growth conditions; generally one fertilizer application then one watering, or two fertilizer applications then one watering. To prevent pathogens from breeding in the coconut husk, 1000-fold carbendazim solution or 1500-fold thiophanate-methyl solution can be applied regularly; the substrate pH value should be controlled at 5.5 to 6.5, and the EC value at 1.2 to 1.6 mS/cm.
Care key points - watering and fertilizing
Oncidium, like most tropical orchids, likes relatively high air humidity, but because different types of Oncidium differ greatly in plant size, their drought resistance also differs. Varieties without pseudobulbs have poor drought resistance, so the substrate in the pot should be kept moist regularly, and water should be replenished as soon as the substrate dries. Reducing water in winter is beneficial to flowering, and watering should be stopped when the temperature is below 10°C. In hot summer, water should be sprayed on the ground around the plants, on the benches, on the pathways and on the plants to increase air humidity, otherwise growth will be affected. At the same time, because the summer climate is hot, when cultivating Oncidium in a greenhouse, besides maintaining relatively high humidity, good ventilation and aeration must also be maintained, otherwise growth will be poor and rot will easily occur?
Proper fertilization is an effective measure for the robust growth of Oncidium. When planting, first use a small amount of slow-release fertilizer as a base fertilizer, and apply decomposed soybean cake water, oil cake, bone meal, etc. once a month. Except when the temperature is too low in late autumn and winter, during the growing seasons of spring, summer and early autumn, apply 1500 to 2000-fold liquid water-soluble quick-acting fertilizer once every 2 to 3 weeks. Before flowering, apply a compound fertilizer balanced in the "three elements" of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which can be sprayed on the leaves or applied to the roots. Near flowering, supplement phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.
How to care for it
In China, orchids are usually divided into two categories: Chinese orchids and tropical orchids. Tropical orchids mostly refer to epiphytic orchids, such as Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Cattleya, etc. Oncidium is native to tropical rainforests, has diverse flower colors, and a long flowering period; from the first flower opening to the last flower it lasts more than two months. The flower shape is beautiful, like a little girl dancing, hence the name "dancing orchid".
Cultivation key points
1. Cultivation materials: in hot and humid places, use tree fern and hardwoods of non-oily broadleaf trees made into boards, pots, etc., while in dry climates, sphagnum moss, fern root, moss, etc. can be used to plant in porous pots.
2. Daily management: Oncidium's environmental requirements are generally not very strict.
3. Normally water according to the principle of alternating dry and wet, watering once every 2 to 3 days; in midsummer, water every day, and also frequently spray water on the leaves and sprinkle water on the ground around the pot to increase humidity and lower temperature. Reduce watering in winter; during the growth period apply thin liquid fertilizer 2 to 3 times per month, or 0.1% compound chemical fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in winter.
4. In spring and autumn, shade 30%; in summer, shade 50% to 70%, but it should not be placed in too dark a place for care, to avoid leggy branches and leaves that affect flower bud differentiation. The suitable growth temperature is around 25°C, and the winter room temperature should not be below 10°C.
5. Repotting is needed every year, replacing with new growing medium.
Disease control for Oncidium
The cultivation environment should be kept clean and hygienic; frequently remove weeds in and around the solar greenhouse, promptly inspect and remove yellow-leaf diseased plants, and for severely diseased plants, discard and bury them to prevent them from becoming a source of infection. For mildly diseased plants, use scissors to cut off diseased leaves, immediately spray the corresponding pesticide, and carry out isolated cultivation to control the spread of pests and diseases. When spraying pesticides, leave no dead corners; especially the leaf backs, greenhouse corners and ground must all be fully sprayed. The greenhouse should be disinfected once a month.
Common pests of Oncidium include snails, scale insects and whiteflies. In the rainy seasons of spring and summer, snails are often active; at this time, lime powder should be regularly spread around the orchid garden and at the feet of the cultivation bench supports. When ventilation is poor, scale insects are often caused; 800 to 1000-fold supusha or sujieling can be sprayed to kill them. Whiteflies can be killed by spraying 3000-fold supufengya or yashixiao. After disease occurs, agricultural streptomycin can be sprayed in the morning or evening for control, and the number of sprayings within a year should preferably not exceed 3 times.
The main pest of Oncidium is scale insects. Scale insects parasitize the leaf edges or leaf surfaces of plants and suck sap, causing the plant to wither; in severe cases the whole plant will yellow and die. They can be killed by spraying 1000-fold 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate, or 2000-fold 50% malathion emulsifiable concentrate. The main diseases of Oncidium are soft rot and leaf spot. Leaf spot harms the leaves of Oncidium when it occurs, and soft rot causes the whole plant to die when it occurs. Control can be done with 1000-fold 50% carbendazim, or 800-fold 50% thiophanate-methyl soluble wettable powder.
Oncidium mosaic virus disease
Symptoms: Initially, pale yellow discontinuous stripes form along the leaf veins, often appearing mosaic-like. Then some mesophyll cells in the diseased area necrose, forming brown necrotic spots that sink below the surface. Pathogen: several viruses such as Cymbidium mosaic virus (CyMV) and ColMV. Transmission route: mainly through sap transmission.
Control methods:
1. The greenhouse should be reasonably ventilated to avoid high temperature and high humidity; pay attention to drainage, appropriately increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers; promptly remove diseased leaves, diseased fruits and residual plants.
2. Spray pesticide promptly at the early stage of disease. Commonly used pesticides include: 500-fold 50% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder, or 500-fold 80% dasheng wettable powder, or 600-fold 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder, 400-fold 50% anthracnose fumai, or 1:1:200 Bordeaux mixture. Spray once every 7 to 10 days, for a total of 2 to 3 times.
Propagation methods of Oncidium
The propagation methods of Oncidium include tissue culture and division propagation. Oncidium is a sympodial tropical orchid, and mature plants will produce offsets; once the offset has a pseudobulb, it can be cut away from the mother plant. Division propagation is generally carried out after flowering or in spring and autumn.
Tissue culture of Oncidium is relatively easy; generally seeds or vegetative organs such as stem tips and flower spikes are used for propagation. In seed culture, a medium prepared with 3 g Hyponex No. 1, 2 g tryptone and 35 g edible sugar gives good results for seed germination. Adding 15% coconut water can promote seed germination. Stem tip culture and flower spike culture of Oncidium generally show no browning; the optimal primary culture media for stem tip and flower spike culture are 1/2MS, modified Knudson C, and V&W medium. Or sowing medium can be used; in principle no hormones are needed. Subculture of protocorms can use the same culture medium with 5% to 10% banana juice or 15% to 20% coconut water added. Seedling formation culture can use the above media or V&W medium. [3]
Division propagation
It can be carried out in spring and autumn, and it is best to divide in spring before new shoots sprout, in combination with repotting. Cut off a pseudobulb with 2 shoots and plant it directly in a pot of sphagnum moss, maintaining relatively high air humidity, and it will quickly recover, sprout new shoots and grow new roots.
Tissue culture propagation
Select young shoots sprouting from the base of Oncidium as explants, disinfect the surface with 70% alcohol, wash clean with sterile water after sterilization, cut into stem tip slices 1 to 1.5 mm thick, and inoculate them on the prepared medium. Maintain the temperature at (26±2)°C, light intensity at 500 lux, and illumination time at 16 hours. On MS medium with 1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine added, protocorm formation is fastest, requiring only 45 days. The formed protocorms are then subcultured in proliferation medium using solid culture, and after more than 20 days shoots form at the top of the protocorms, and roots differentiate at the base of the shoots. After about 100 days, the differentiated plantlets grow 2 to 3 leaves and become complete seedlings.
Hydroponic cultivation
It needs to be cultivated for more than half a year at a professional hydroponic flower base, so that the newly grown water roots fully adapt to the still-water environment; this is a development trend in the flower industry.
Variety classification of Oncidium
The genus has as many as 750 or more native species worldwide, while the commercially used commercial varieties in all their diversity are mostly hybrids. Leaves number 1 to 3, and the species can be divided into thin-leaved types, thick-leaved types and sword-leaved types. Thin-leaved types have relatively thin leaves.
Common cultivated varieties include:
Swee Fragrance, flowers red, with a white lip.
Volcano Queen, flowers yellow. Characteristics, flowers large, yellow, flowering period lasts 1 to 2 months.
Ever-Lasting No. 1, flowers pale yellow, with brownish-red stripes.
Ever-Lasting No. 2, flowers red, lip white.
Common ornamental species in the same genus
O. Ampliotum var. Majus, flowers bright yellow, sepals with brownish-red spots.
O. Crispum, flowers large, ruffled petals, flower diameter 8 cm, petals brown with a golden-yellow center.
O. Concolor, flowers large, flower diameter 4 cm, petals lemon yellow, lip yellow.
O. Macranthum, flowers large, flower diameter 10 cm, petals yellow, sepals brown, wavy.
O. Papilio, petals deep red with yellow horizontal stripes, lip yellow with brownish-red spots.
Oncidium Pardinum, flowers bright yellow with brown markings.
Oncidium Splendidum, flowers yellow with brown stripes, lip large and golden yellow.
Oncidium varicosum, flowers yellow-green, flower diameter 3 cm.
Distribution range of Oncidium
Native to tropical America in the regions of Mexico, Brazil and Bolivia, these are sympodial terrestrial or epiphytic orchids, with more than seven hundred native species.
The original species of Oncidium are native to tropical regions of the Americas, with the greatest species diversity in countries such as Brazil, the United States, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. However, their distribution range is relatively wide, spanning tropical, warm temperate, high mountain temperate and cold zones.
It is cultivated throughout Taiwan, China, but is mainly distributed in the central and southern parts where it is more abundant. Due to considerations of variety imports and the need for color coordination of cut flower materials, the varieties used are mostly yellow-flowered varieties, with Onc. Grower Ramsey or Taka being the most common.
Uses and purposes of Oncidium
Currently, the production and marketing of Oncidium is mainly focused on cut flowers, potted flowers and garden cultivation.
Oncidium is an extremely beautiful orchid with great ornamental value, and is one of the important orchid cut flower varieties in the world. It is suitable for vase arrangements in home living rooms and offices, and is also a high-end flower material for making bouquets and small flower baskets. It is now cultivated all over the world. The dancing lady orchid is Oncidium, with bright yellow blooms; each flower is like a beautiful maiden, skirts fluttering, dancing gracefully. Its flower language is happiness without worry, symbolizing the forgetting of troubles.
Cultural background of Oncidium
Zhang Renzhi: (excerpted from "Pursuing the Call of the Goddess of Artistic Beauty - Reflections on Viewing Yang Ruifen's Flower-and-Bird Paintings")
"In Yang Ruifen's works there are at least three or four categories of exploration. First, after discovering a certain meaningful formal beauty from observing flowers and plants in nature, she boldly discards the secondary parts of the object in her mind, such as branches and leaves, and instead highlights and magnifies the flower head in close-up, transforming and finely depicting the stamens, and re-creating the composition. Among this type of subject matter, the flower heads of various orchids are the main focus, such as 'Dancing Girl Orchid.'"
Wu Gang: (excerpted from "Creating Flowers from the Heart, Moving the Heart with Ink, Reflecting the Beauty of the Contemporary")
"Anyone who sees 'Dancing Girl Orchid' will immediately think of the four lovely little swans in the ballet 'Swan Lake.' One orchid after another rises high on tiptoe, kicking their vigorous legs, performing affectionate and graceful dance poses. But they also seem as elegant and lively as little swans, laughing and playing. They are a group of matured young beauties, dignified within their charm, and the crimson curtain adds a further touch of steady atmosphere."
Zhou Kuo:
"Yang Ruifen is not satisfied with copying and reproducing the scenery before her as it is; instead, she often gains creative inspiration from deep observation and experience of the spirit of objects in real life, boldly trimming and reconstructing the flowers and plants before her into compositions, thereby creating the magical artistic realm idealized in her heart. This painting 'Dancing Girl Orchid' is one of the representatives of this type of creation by Yang Ruifen. The painter focuses her gaze on the flower head, exaggerating the image of the extending petals, depicting the flowers as if they were ballet dancers, dancing gracefully with elegant posture."
Flower language of Oncidium
Hidden love, happiness
Oncidium images