Oncidium
Dancing lady orchid
Also known as Oncidium orchid
- Height × spread
- 0.8m – 0.8m × 0.45m – 0.45m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are over 250 species of these orchids. They come from warm and temperate regions of the Americas. There are many hybrids and intergeneric hybrids (crosses induced between orchids in other genus). The flowers are often in intriguing shades of yellow and brown. In comparison to the rest, its lips are frequently truly enormous and often elaborately patterned. Other parts of the bloom may likewise be blotched, spotted or burnished gold and red. There may be many individual flowers, held on dangling or branching stems, some of them lengthy. There is variation in the cultivation requirements for different plants within this genus.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.8m – 0.8m
- Spread
- 0.45m – 0.45m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous)
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Keep dry during dormancy
This plant likes a period of dryness in winter. Otherwise increase watering as it comes into growth, water regularly, then decrease as the plant enters dormancy. Mist the foliage daily while in growth.
Other opinions state that plant should receive the occasional light watering while it is in its dormant or resting period.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Keep dry during dormancy
This plant likes a period of dryness in winter. Otherwise increase watering as it comes into growth, water regularly, then decrease as the plant enters dormancy. Mist the foliage daily while in growth.
Other opinions state that plant should receive the occasional light watering while it is in its dormant or resting period.
Spring · Planting
Repot yearly
Repot each year as the plant is coming into growth. Use a pot that has drainage holes in the bottom.
Spring-Winter · Planting
Divide when too large for pot
Orchids that are too large for their pots can be divided when dormant. Cut through the rhizome and root ball if necessary. Treat cuts with sulphur powder, repot the plant and stake it to ensure it is not going to move in its pot.
You can also remove offsets and bulbils etc. at this time, but be sure to leave some pseudo bulbs and put bulbs back in place. Research specialist literature on this if you wish to get the very best from your orchid.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with orchid feed
Use a standard orchid feed regularly at every third watering during summer, applying it as directed on the packet.
For specialist feeding, you can buy a group of orchid feeds. Apply a high nitrogen feed in spring as the plant is coming into growth, a balanced feed during growth, and a high potash feed in autumn.
Summer-Autumn · Outdoors
Feed with orchid feed
Use a standard orchid feed regularly at every third watering during summer, applying it as directed on the packet.
For specialist feeding, you can buy a group of orchid feeds. Apply a high nitrogen feed in spring as the plant is coming into growth, a balanced feed during growth, and a high potash feed in autumn.
Planting & general
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, close to window
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).
Compost · Planting
Orchid-epiphytic compost for repotting
Buy a standard orchid mix for orchids that are epiphytic in character i.e. they grow on other things, generally other plants.
If making one's own one recipe create a mix that is half fine bark chips, and a mix of fine gravel and perlite and charcoal for the other half. Opinions vary on 'recipes' and if your interest develops, you can research the views of specialist growers.