Oncidium Twinkle 'White/Light Pink'

~~$50.00~~ $40.00

(Savings: $10.00)

Cross: (Onc. cheirophorum x Onc. ornithorhynchum)

Intro:
Oncidium Twinkle is a cross between Oncidium cheirophorum and Oncidium ornithorhynchum. Being an ornithorhynchum hybrid, the plant stays compact, the flowers are profuse and very fragrant smelling of vanilla and spice. This is an easy growing plant that will do well in most conditions. Be sure to check out the red and yellow forms we offer.

Light:
This plant prefers low medium light, from 700-2000 foot-candles. In homes, an east window is ideal. In south or west windows it must be protected from the blazing sun and kept from being too hot. If grown outside in the summer, make sure it is in a brightly diffused shady area.

Temperature:
This plant prefers intermediate temperatures with winter nighttime temps from 58º to 64º and daytime temps of 69 -75º. Summer temps can be a few degrees warmer.

Humidity:
50% or higher is ideal. It is best to increase moisture with humidity trays or room humidifier.

Water:
It is best to use rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water. Water as the plant approaches dryness but do not allow the plant to dry out totally. The pseudobulbs can be your guide. If the pseudobulbs shrivel and develop furrows and ridges, you need to increase the watering frequency. Pseudobulbs like to be kept plump. When flower spikes emerge, be sure not to let it dry out, as this will cause the spikes to abort.

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 flower a couple of times per year, generally in the fall and spring after new growths have matured. Fall however is the strongest time for flowering. Spikes emerge on either or both sides of the pseudobulb and the leaf closest to the pseudobulb. Sometimes more than one spike will emerge from each pseudobulb, and even from the center of the pseudobulb. The spikes produce flowers colored in white, very slight hint of pink in strong light, and a little tan in the lip. As the flowers age, they will fade to a more brilliant white. They are wonderfully fragrant, smelling of vanilla and just a bit of spice.

Repotting:
Repot this plant in the spring after flowering. Use a bark mix that has some moisture retention, such as coconut husk or poultry grade peat, as roots are near the surface need more constant moisture. Repotting should be done every 1½ - 2 years for best results. Do not overpot into too large a pot.