Oncidium Sharry Baby

Base Price: $65.00

Cross: (Jamie Sutton x Honolulu)

Intro:
One of the most famous of the Oncidium hybrids that is well known for its fragrance of chocolate (although some say vanilla or white chocolate). This plant is easy to grow and can produce several flower spikes with hundreds of flowers.

Light:
Low to medium. 1000-2000 footcandles. If this plant receives too much light the leaf tips will begin showing blackish spots. Oncidium Sharry Baby gets spots on the leaves very easily, and generally develops dry leaf tips. An eastern or southern window is ideal.

Temperature:
Because of the various genera used to create this plant, it is tolerant of a wide variety of temperatures. Nighttime temps should be around 55 to 65 degrees, and daytime temps in the mid to high 70's.

Humidity:
50% or higher is ideal.

Water:
It is best to use rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water. Municipal water with a pH of 7.5 or lower can also be used. Water as the potting medium approaches dryness but do not allow the mix to become completely dry between watering (especially when the plant is in spike). You can monitor the amount of water the plant is receiving by looking at the pseudobulbs. If they are shriveled you need to increase watering.

Fertilizer:
We highly recommend using Green Jungle Orchid Food, especially formulated to work with rain, distilled, reverse osmosis water or water low in alkalinity. Fertilize with Green Jungle every time you water if plants are planted in bark. Be sure to flush the mix with clear water only once per month to prevent fertilizer salt build up. For plants in moss or mounted on slabs feed every third or 4th watering as the moss holds a lot of nutrients.

Or use GrowMore 20-10-20 Ureafree for municipal or well water. Use at the rate of ½ teaspoon per gallon. If using GrowMore with rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water, add back in 5 - 10% municipal or well water to supply the necessary calcium and magnesium. Fertilize every other watering in the summer and every third watering in the winter.

Another fertilizer offered is: GrowMore 6-30-30 (Cymbidium and bloom boosting formula).

Flowering:
This plant can bloom twice a year because it is constantly producing new growths. The flower spikes produce several branches of dark cherry colored flowers with white lips. The flowers have a strong fragrance of chocolate.

Repotting:
Repot every one to one and a half years in a medium grade orchid mix using a plastic pot. The best time to repot is in the spring or fall seasons.