Group : Oncidium
Covers these genera : Alexanderara (Alxra.) , Aliceara (Alcra.) , Aspasia (Asp.) , Bakerara (Bak.) , Baptistonia (Bapt.) , Beallara (Bllra.) , Brachtia (Bra.) , Brapasia (Brpsa.) , Brassada (Brsa.) , Brassia (Brs.) , Brassidium (Brsdm.) , Burrageara (Burr.) , Carpenterara (Cptra.) , Colmanara (Colm.) , Comparettia (Comp.) , Degarmoara (Dgmra.) , Gomesa (Gom.) , Goodaleara (Gdlra.) , Helcia (Hlc.) , Howeara (Hwra.) , Maclellanara (Mclna.) , Macradenia (Mcdn.) , Macroclinium (Mcrcln.) , Mesospinidium (Mppm.) , Milpasia (Mpsa.) , Miltadium (Mtadm.) , Miltassia (Mtssa.) , Miltonia (Milt.) , Miltonidium (Mtdm.) , Miltoniopsis (Mltnps.) , Notylia (Ntl.) , Odontocidium (Odcdm.) , Oncidioda (Oncda.) , Oncidium (Onc.) , Plectrophora (Plctrp.) , Psychopsis (Pyp.) , Rodriguezia (Rdza.) , Rossioglossum (Ros.) , Sanderara (Sand.) , Scelochilus (Scel.) , Ticoglossum (Ticogl.) , Tolumnia (Tolu.) , Trichocentrum (Trt.) , Trichoceros (Tc.) , Trichocidium (Trcdm.) , Trichopilia (Trpla.) , Wilsonara (Wils.) , Withnerara (With.)

General information for this group :
Most members of this group require very similar conditions. They are easy to grow and bloom when provided with the right environment. Happy plants produce some of the most impressive displays on a regular basis. The initial discussion is for Oncidiums and any hybrid which has Oncidium in it's background. For subgroups that have additional information, it will appear under individual headings near the bottom of the page. Alternatively, you can click on the genus name above to take you directly to that subgroup.

Subgroup : Oncidium

Description :
Many varieties of this group will bloom more than once per year, however spring is usually the peak flowering season. Many of them are fragrant, in particular Miltoniopsis, Brassias and a few Oncidiums.

Light :
Good light is most important when growth is maturing. If you are growing plants in a cooler temperature, then it is recommended to increase the light level. Usually a bright west or east window, or filtered south window is ideal. Towards the center of 4 foot fluorescents is also good for smaller plants, if you are growing under lights.

Temperature :
Intermediate conditions suit most varieties. If you are growing them under warmer conditions, then reduce the light level to compensate. Odontoglossum types typically prefer cooler conditions, and so have their own separate page.

Water and Media :
Allow no more than 1 day of dryness between waterings. One thorough watering per week is usually sufficient. Plants prefer to be underpotted, in fine bark mixes for smaller pots, and layered coarse/fine in larger pots. Choose pots that are wider than deep, as these plants are lateral rooters. Miltoniopsis are mostly intermediate growers, but they should have good humidity to avoid pleating of the leaves. A high-quality sphagnum moss helps to attain this, and the fine roots of this group appreciate the extra moisture. Try not to let them dry out for extended periods, as the leaves will either pleat or start to go limp and leathery.

Fertilizing and Water Quality :
Use a balanced orchid fertilizer (3:1:3 or 4:1:4 ratio) at 1/4 to 1/2 strength, throughout the entire active growing period. If you are using good quality city water, then fertilize once per 3 weeks at the most, using 1/4 of the recommended strength on the label. If you use rainwater or distilled water, then this can be increased to once every 2 weeks at the most. Only fertilize during active growth periods to avoid burning the roots. Usually this is from February to September inclusive. Make sure to flush the pots every month at least, using distilled or rain water in copious amounts to remove any accumulated salts. Well-water must be diluted by at least half by adding distilled or rain water to limit damage caused by excessive minerals. Never use softened or bottled water.

Blooming :
As mentioned previously, many of these will bloom 2 or more times per year. Nothing special is required to initiate blooming, but it is helpful to ensure you are using the correct fertilizer. Usually the most impressive display of flowers is in late spring.

Our Plants :
The plants we sell from this group are usually in sphagnum moss, in 2.5 inch pots. Watering thoroughly once per week is adequate for intermediate household temperature and humidity. This regimen suits the plant for about a year, at which point the plant will likely be at the edge of the pot. When repotting, you have the choice of upsizing to 3 inch pots with a sphagnum/perlite mix, or a fine bark mix. You should either pre-wet the mix you use, or thoroughly drench it after repotting.

Subgroup : Ada-types

Description : Smallish spidery blooms, usually in shades of green and/or brown.

Same as for Oncidium, except :

Subgroup : Brassia-types

Description : Medium to large spidery blooms, usually in shades of yellow/gold with brown markings.

Same as for Oncidium, except :

Subgroup : Miniatures

Description : Good terrarium candidates in the mid to upper levels. Can also be treated as mounted types, in most cases.

Same as for Oncidium, except :

Subgroup : Mounted Types

Description : Most of these do best on treefern or cork mounts. Being mounted, they prefer good humidity. Those with compact or pendulous bloom spikes are best candidates for terrarium culture.

Same as for Oncidium, except :

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