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Oncidium & Intergeneric Orchid Care

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The Oncidium family is very large and includes many flower varieties, the most common being referred to as the "dancing lady". Intergeneric hybrids consist of several different genera that are can be crossed together to create new "man made" intergeneric orchids. Common genera that are used for intergeneric hybrids include Cochlioda, Miltonia, Odontoglossum, Oncidium and Ada. The result of these hybrids leads to new genera names that can get pretty confusing. Some common intergeneric names are Beallara (Bllra.), Brassostele (Bst.), Bratonia (Brat.), Colmanara (Colm.), Odontocidium (Odcdm.), Odontonia (Odtna.), Oncostele (Ons.), and Vuylstekeara (Vuyl.). You will commonly see "mericlones" of intergenerics as they are very easy to clone and produce high quality and quantity plants. These orchids tend to flower in the fall and spring. In order to initiate the flower spikes, it is important to grow the plant in an area where the night temperatures fall below 65°F (18°C).

Light and Shade

We have found that Oncidiinae & intergenerics grow well under a rather semi-shaded, so that if a hand is passed over the leaves it produces a faint shadow. We recommend growing in east or west-facing windows. South-facing windows should only be used if shielded from the sun using a sheer curtain. If temperature highs remain below these orchid's limits, then Oncidiinae & intergenerics can be grown outside from June to late fall in areas with filtered light, such as through a pine tree or shrub in early morning or afternoon. Be careful not to exposure these orchids to prolonged direct sunlight, as the leaves may sunburn easily. In the event that your Oncidiinae orchid has developed mature bulbs but is not spiking, you may consider increasing its exposure to bright filtered light. In some hybrids and species this assists in spike initiation. If using artificial light to grow indoors, LEDs are the best option. The artificial light market has expanded greatly in recent years, so a quick Google search will result in a variety of lighting options and price ranges. It is worth noting that, while intergenerics generally have black spots on the leaf tips, this genetic trait becomes more pronounced when exposed to too much light.

Temperature and Humidity

Oncidiinae & intergenerics do well in the average home or intermediate temperature greenhouse. These orchids prefer daytime temperatures from 70°F to 85°F (21°C to 30°C), and night temperature between 60°F to 65°F (16°C to 18°C). If you keep your Oncidiinae watered well, humidity will not be a critical factor in their growth. However, these orchids thrive under high humidity and will benefit from humidity levels above 40%. This can be achieved at home with the use of a humidifier or a humidity tray. Just make sure that the plant is not standing in water or the roots will rot.

Feeding

We highly recommend Green Jungle Orchid Food, specially formulated to provide orchids with the nutrients they would naturally encounter in their wild habitats. This is the fertilizer that we developed to use on our own plants in production, with excellent results for decades! This formula works best with water low in alkalinity (such as rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water). However, you may use tap water, keeping in mind that mineral buildup will require repotting more frequently, on the order of every 1 to 2 years.

If potting in bark mix, fertilize every time you water, flushing with non-softened water once a month. This rinses the media of salt and mineral buildup. When potting in sphagnum moss, fertilize every 3rd watering year round.

Watering

Oncidiinae & intergenerics like to be kept fairly moist, with the media just approaching dryness between waterings. During warm dry weather, they may need to be watered 2 to 3 times a week. Oncidiinae are large-leaved orchids that transpire a relatively high volume of water. These orchids form wrinkled, accordion-like pleated leaves when not receiving enough water. If this happens, check the root system. Over-watering may have caused the roots to rot, thereby depriving the plant from absorbing water. If the roots are healthy, you are likely under-watering and should increase your watering schedule accordingly.

We always recommend watering in the morning, as this gives the leaves time to dry and avoid bacterial growth overnight. If possible, use water low in alkalinity, such as rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water. If you have a dehumidifier in your home, the water that collects in the tray is excellent for watering orchids.

Potting

Oncidiinae & intergenerics do well in a light, porous medium, capable of holding moisture while draining thoroughly upon watering. At Orchids Limited, we recommend potting these plants in New Zealand Sphagnum Moss, the Medium grade of our Traditional Orchid Bark Mix, or our Modern Moisture Retentive Mix (contains rockwool).

These orchids tend to be less finicky than other orchid groups, so you may allow room for up to two year's new growth. Repot once every 1 to 2 years, preferably in the spring when active growth resumes. When repotting, choose a pot that is large enough to accommodate 1 or 2 years growth (2 to 3 new bulbs per year). Grab the plant near the base of the pot and start by gently, but firmly, pulling the plant out of its old pot. If the mix is old, crumbly and sour, carefully remove the media and rinse the root system. Trim off any dead roots and dead bulbs. Position the plant with its oldest bulbs to the edge of the new pot. Then, spreading the plant roots out, fill in the space with the potting medium.

Oncidiums can be divided when there are 6 or more pseudobulbs. Should you wish to divide your plant at this time, each section should have three or four green bulbs in addition to any new leads. Old leafless pseudobulbs should be removed if the procedure will cause no damage to the rest of the plant. You can watch our video on dividing orchids here. 

To avoid the transfer of orchid diseases, it is standard procedure to sterilize all cutting and potting instruments before using them on a plant. This can be done by flaming pruning shears with a butane torch, or by spraying with rubbing alcohol and wiping with a clean paper towel. 

Pest Control

These orchids can attract aphids, particularly on the flower buds when in spike. If you have aphids, insecticidal soap sprayed 3 times, one week apart, should control them.