Oncidium-flowered Epidendrum

Oncidium-flowered Epidendrum Care

Encyclia Oncidioides

What is the plant

Encyclia oncidioides is a species of orchid. The diploid chromosome number of E. oncidioides has been determined as 2n = 40. Plant blooms from spring to summer with several 5cm flowers. Flowers are fragrant. Plant is found growing in rocky and sandy cliffs of Colombia and Brazil at elevations of 0 to 750 meters. Plants grow in intermediate to warm conditions and can be grown in medium size fir bark with perlite. Plant prefers drying periods between watering and bright light is recommended. Lengthen drying period a bit in the winter.

If you’ve recognized any mistakes feel free to notify us about it. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information.

Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

18°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

max 12b

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
For species from Florida and the Caribbean, water every five to seven days in the warm months with tepid water or rainwater. Allow roots to dry between waterings. Water at the most every two weeks when the orchid goes dormant in winter. Begin watering more regularly as new growth appears.
Pruning
When the Phalaenopsis orchid is completely done blooming and all the flowers have faded, you can do the major pruning. Most orchids will go dormant in the fall, so plan on doing your pruning then. Trim the stem that had the blooms on it off about an inch (2.5 cm.) away from the main stalk
Fertilizer
Fertilizer should be the same as the potting medium. Use 20-20-20 with tree fern or charcoal. Use 30-10-10 with fir bark. Feed the plant non-urea based fertilizer at half strength weekly, when the soil is moist in the warm months. Fertilize once a month or less in winter.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Sunlight
In a bright spot, but no direct sunlight.
Soil
They are best grown in a compost consisting of bark, tree fern fiber and sphagnum moss. Potting media should be open and coarse, with emphasis on good drainage. Though tolerant of most soils, a potting mix of fir bark with any combination of coarse perlite, lava rocks, charcoal or gravel is ideal.
Temperature
Epidendrum prefers daytime temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius and a night-time temperature of approximately 15 degree Celsius.