Oncidium Sphacelatum Care

Because they generally grow with their roots exposed to the air, Dancing Lady orchids require specific watering routines so as not to rot the roots. The roots should be allowed to nearly dry out between each watering session.Plants with thin leaves will require slightly more water than those with water-retaining leaves.

Fertilize regularly while plants are actively growing. Applications of 30-10-10 formulations twice a month are ideal for plants in a bark-based potting medium. A 20-20-20 formulation should be used on plants in other media or on slabs. If skies are cloudy, applications once a month are sufficient.

Oncidiums require plenty of light, and although these orchids are more tolerant than other species, the light should be indirect. Remember, the light filters through the treetops in the wild, rather than striking the plant directly.When grown indoors, these plants can be placed in an east-, west-, or south-facing window. This will often ensure similar lighting conditions. A good guideline is 2000 to 4000 footcandles of light.

The potting medium used for Oncidiums should be fairly loose and should drain easily. Because they have relatively fine roots, don’t use a very coarse mix as you would for a Phalaenopsis – go for a medium-grade mix instead.A mix of bark and sphagnum moss in equal quantities works best. Osmunda fern fiber is another great option if you’re able to find it.

Dancing Lady orchids prefer warm temperatures. The average temperature in the Amazon, for instance, is about 77 degrees Fahrenheit.So, you should aim to keep the temperature around 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. You can use a standard household thermometer to measure this.

Pots should have several holes in them to promote drainage and airflow. You can find a variety of pots specifically for orchids, such as net pots and clear plastic pots, at your local garden store.

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