Dancing Lady Orchid Plant Care

Did you buy or receive flowers that resemble the Latin American dancer? That name was chosen for this Dancing Lady Orchid because it mimics the flowing skirts of Victorian dancing maidens. Olaf Swartz, a Swedish botanist, was the first to describe Oncidium orchids in the year 1800.

The word “onkos” derives from the Greeks, which indicates “to swell or bulk,” and refers to the flower’s distinctively formed protrusion on the lips.

The table below is the basic information about the Oncidium. This information introduces the brief plant Oncidium orchid care.

dancing lady orchid care card

Dancing Lady Orchid Plant Care Basics

dancing lady orchid

The Oncidium orchid should be given appropriate care. The gardeners should be fully aware of how to take care of the plant. Complete knowledge on Oncidium orchid care guides the gardeners in providing the plant an excellent growing condition. This would allow the plant to grow healthy while manifesting its full beauty.

Giving the right Oncidium orchid care will be helpful for the plant’s growth, even it was planted indoors. The following are the care tips on how to take care of the Oncidium orchid properly.

Ideal Mix

orchid bark

sphagnum moss The soil requirement of the Oncidium orchid is a well-draining soil type that allows the roots to be visible. The soil can be mixed with orchid bark, sphagnum moss, and even fern fiber. These organic materials provide aeration and good drainage.

These organic materials retain enough water that the plant needs. The soil should not suffocate the roots to prevent root-bound.

Orchid bark is one of the available yet suitable options as a potting mix or soil mix for the plant. The orchid bark allows the plant to hold and let the roots outgrow it.

You can also plant the Oncidium along the tree trunks for continuous basic needs support.

Watering Needs

The water requirement of the Oncidium orchids is a medium amount of water. It is important to create a frequent watering schedule for the plant to prevent root rot. At the same time, it could be suitable for the plant to have aerial roots so it could increase moisture (air level needed by the plant will also increase if roots are visible).

A good option to choose when it comes to water type will be filtered water such as distilled water.

Avoid overwatering the Oncidium to prevent further complications. Such complications that can affect the Oncidium will be the yellowing of the leaves. Consistent overwatering can also kill the oncidium. Oncidium should be taken care of properly by preventing overwatering.

Ideal Lighting

Oncidium orchids thrives with bright indirect light. This orchid species is more tolerant in sunlight compared to other species of its kind. 

However, place the plant away from direct sun exposure to prevent the plant from scorching, wilting, or death. Too much sun directly affects the plant and that is why we need to prevent the plant from getting too much exposure from it.

If the Oncidium orchids are treated as an indoor plant, be sure that the plant can still get all its bare necessities, particularly the lighting source (for the plant to make photosynthesis). Treating the said houseplant into an indoor plant can cause the dancing lady orchids to be protected from the volatile radiance of the sun.

Temperature Requirement

The dancing lady orchids are known to be tropical plants. Meaning that it could only best thrive and tolerate conditions where the temperature is on 15-30 C or 59-86 F. These recommended temperatures are enough for the plant to survive and thrive well in the area where it was planted.

The below and above temperatures can give complications and stress to the dancing lady orchids. However, the difficulties are only a minor consequence of the dancing lady orchids’ care. If the temperature goes too high, consider placing the orchids Oncidium in a temporary place where it could get its warm temperature.

The orchids Oncidium is best to be placed outdoors during the summer and spring seasons. On the other hand, the Oncidium is best placed indoors during the winter and fall seasons. 

Humidity 

The humidity requirement of the Oncidium is very high. The very high humidity is what all the tropical plants needed the most. The higher the humidity level, the higher the optimal conditions you are giving to the dancing ladies. High humidity encourages the dancing ladies to grow well and to thrive easily, making it easier for propagation for the next year or two.

When planted in a place with a medium level of humidity, the dancing ladies can still survive and thrive. However, there will be an enormous difference compared to the tropical plants that grow well with a higher humidity level. 

To ensure a consistent and higher humidity level, you can use any available techniques and equipment present in your home or buy in the nearest garden store. You may use a humidifier, a container with pebble filled with water, mist, and other techniques to increase the humidity level required for the plant.

Fertilizer 

I highly prefer organic fertilizers for Oncidium orchid. Organic fertilizers encourage the soil mix or potting mix to be healthy and rich in nutrients.

Summer and spring seasons are the preferable seasons where you could give apply fertilizer for the plant. These seasons are also favorable for the plant as the Oncidium survives and thrives easily in these seasons. At the same time, these seasons are the best propagating seasons.

During fall and winter, you must not give or minimally give the Oncidium fertilizer. During these seasons, the Oncidium usually sleeps or on dormant. Excessive fertilizer application to the Oncidium can stick the salt or any chemicals that poison the plant.

Propagation

Orchid bulbs

The best season in growing Oncidium Orchids is during spring. They can be usually planted or propagate by dividing them once the Dancing Lady orchids have grown large enough. Gently remove your orchid from its pot to do so.

To avoid injuring the oncidium, you may have to split the pot away. Divide the pseudobulbs into bunches of at least four apiece. You can use a sterile blade to assist, but only when necessary.

Take extreme caution not to injure the roots to avoid root rot. Repot these parts in a new potting mix and treat them as if they were new plants.

Growth Zone

The oncidiums can grow up to 30 to 75 centimeters tall. The oncidiums have pseudobulbs flowering that blooms well when taken care of properly. The flowers oncidium has a flower spike and the said species have yellow-colored flowers, depending on the temperature degrees or how bright the sun it could receive.

The said species can be planted along the tree branches or in a pot.

Potting

Repotting the oncidium should be done every two years. When the dancing ladies were placed on a potting medium size, make sure that the pot is not too big for the oncidium to outgrow. The oncidiums have also pseudobulbs that bloom when the oncidiums have been taken care of well.

The orchid bark allows air to go through the roots or if you decided to place it in the tree.

When repotting the oncidium, be sure to transfer it to a pot where the size is slightly bigger. Potting medium is one of the recommended pot sizes that suit the oncidium well.

Dancing Lady Orchid Varieties and Similar Plants

There are approximately 25,000-30,000 Oncidium species of the oncidium plants. One of which is the species Oncidium . Here are some of the examples of orchid species or varieties that have a bit similarity to the Oncidium :

Phalaenopsis orchids

phalaenopsis orchidCommonly known as moth orchids, the species in the Phalaenopsis genus are ideal orchids for beginners since they tolerate clumsy repotting efforts and bloom on and off throughout the year.

Brassavola orchids

brassavola orchid

Brassavola orchids are one of the orchid species that have white or greenish flowers with narrow petals and are exceptionally fragrant, especially in the evening when the perfume is released.

Catasetum orchid

catasetum orchidA large number of species within the Catasetum genus are known for their unusual waxy flowers. If your Catasetum orchid leaves begin to yellow and drop off, do not despair; this deciduous orchid loses its leaves naturally during winter dormancy.

Dancing Lady Orchid Diseases & Pests

Many species of pests can destroy the blooming process of your Oncidium Orchids. They might turn the green leaves into yellow or even brown, hinder your orchid species from growing, and even causes root rot.

Here are the most frequent orchid diseases: 

  1. Bacterial Brown Spot starts as a soft, fluid lesion on the orchid’s leaf and then turns brown. The brown area will begin to leak a foul-smelling dark liquid as it progresses.
  2. Bacterial Soft Spot: (also known as Erwinia) appears on the orchid’s leaf as a foul-smelling wet spot. The diseased region will quickly spread, and the entire leaf will become limp and slimy within 1 to 2 days.
  3. Fungal Crown Rot: most severe and frequent fungal disease that affects orchids. Orchid owners may detect a minor yellowing at the plant’s core or the base of the leaves at first. Overwatering, inferior degrees of air circulation, and low temperatures all contribute to crown rot.

Here’s how to manage orchid infections:

Use a sterilized razor to remove affected leaves as soon as possible. Relocate your orchid to a location where it will have more excellent air circulation, lower humidity, and the proper temperatures. Sprays a good broad-spectrum fungicide on your orchid and observe the package guidelines and tips.

Fungicide application will prevent secondary infection even if you detect a bacterial condition.high humidity

Frequently Asked Questions

The absence of sunlight is the number one reason that most houseplant orchids do not blossom. If you want to get an oncidium orchid blooms again, the first thing you need to do is move it to a brighter spot. An orchid should be placed in a window that faces south or east. Ensure that the leaves are clear of dust and debris. Even a tiny layer of dust can prevent light from passing through. The same may be said for the windows. Clean the windows that supply light to your orchids regularly.

They bloom a fair few times a year, usually two or three times. Autumn and spring are the most plentiful blooming seasons. The temperature contrast between day and night promotes the blossoming process; therefore, read the ‘Temperature’ paragraph carefully if you want to enjoy the blossoms of your oncidium orchids.

The majority of medium-sized dancing lady oncidium orchids bloom in 2 to 3 months. Some of the larger plants, on the other hand, can take up to four months to entirely branch and bloom. Keep in mind that you are watering the roots when you water.

Everyone loves to buy online these days. And we are happy to serve you at Plantly to offer you your Dancing lady orchid. No hassle and can ensure the plant’s quality. Contact us now!

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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