For a long time I have considered ondicium orchids, the traditional looking, quite plan and simple as a niche in the orchid world.
I mean they are OK-ish, though the new hybrids of the pink, white, purple, cinnamon, rose, ginger... omg i have no Idea what else is there in the oncidium world - kind of annoy me. I see them, and I think - these are girly orchids. But like really, girly, sparkly my little pony like. No offense to girls and girly things, but it's just the first initial feeling.
Or more like the feeling that something is just to sweet and pretty.
And then I came across the utterly popular and common Oncidium Sweet Sugar, and I was struck... I realized then I saw it before. Yes I have, in the Kew Garden on the Orchid Festival. There was this huge Palm and from it there a cascade of golden butterfly like flowers came down like a wonderful shimmering and sunny waterfall.
I remembered that with great pleasure and I was sold, straight away. I love yellow and orange and any sunny color that will brighten up my surrounding. This oncidium was like the golden prize.
It reminded me of my Aliceara but It was much simpler, with a huge lip reminding you of a Spanish girl in a dress. With some brown/red or sometimes black details on the side lips. The orchid produces many branches filled with sprays of these small - only 2 inch - flowers that react to even the slightest movement of the air and literally dance. Thats why i think it should be renamed to Shimmering orchid.
This hybrid is well known for being very vigorous, and quickly grows to a specimen size plant that will make everyone's life so much much better! It was registered in 1990 by M. Sato as a cross between Oncidesa Aloha Iwanaga and Gomesa varicosum. Since then the official name has changed many time but on 95% of time you can still find it under the name of Oncidium Sweet Sugar.
It is well known to have a climbing growth pattern where the sudobulbs can grow on top of each-other or above the medium. When a sudobulb matures it will produce a spike which can start ay 25 cm to even 50 cm length. Depending on the health and maturity of the orchid the spike can produce from 10 up to 30 or 40 flowers.
Care is similar to any odontoglossum or oncidium type, as these orchids like moisture and water. Keep them well watered, and don't let the medium to dry out completely! In the warmer months make sure to water it even twice a week to prevent the bulbs from shriveling. Also from personal experience I would advise when the spike starts to develop on the plant immediately start fertilizing with the bloom booster. When in bloom fertilize 3 times a month every week and then the fourth week use to flush with clean water. After the spike fades, switch to growth booster and water every two weeks.
I will not tell you where to buy it because you can get it practically everywhere! :)
I mean they are OK-ish, though the new hybrids of the pink, white, purple, cinnamon, rose, ginger... omg i have no Idea what else is there in the oncidium world - kind of annoy me. I see them, and I think - these are girly orchids. But like really, girly, sparkly my little pony like. No offense to girls and girly things, but it's just the first initial feeling.
Or more like the feeling that something is just to sweet and pretty.
And then I came across the utterly popular and common Oncidium Sweet Sugar, and I was struck... I realized then I saw it before. Yes I have, in the Kew Garden on the Orchid Festival. There was this huge Palm and from it there a cascade of golden butterfly like flowers came down like a wonderful shimmering and sunny waterfall.
I remembered that with great pleasure and I was sold, straight away. I love yellow and orange and any sunny color that will brighten up my surrounding. This oncidium was like the golden prize.
It reminded me of my Aliceara but It was much simpler, with a huge lip reminding you of a Spanish girl in a dress. With some brown/red or sometimes black details on the side lips. The orchid produces many branches filled with sprays of these small - only 2 inch - flowers that react to even the slightest movement of the air and literally dance. Thats why i think it should be renamed to Shimmering orchid.
It is well known to have a climbing growth pattern where the sudobulbs can grow on top of each-other or above the medium. When a sudobulb matures it will produce a spike which can start ay 25 cm to even 50 cm length. Depending on the health and maturity of the orchid the spike can produce from 10 up to 30 or 40 flowers.
Care is similar to any odontoglossum or oncidium type, as these orchids like moisture and water. Keep them well watered, and don't let the medium to dry out completely! In the warmer months make sure to water it even twice a week to prevent the bulbs from shriveling. Also from personal experience I would advise when the spike starts to develop on the plant immediately start fertilizing with the bloom booster. When in bloom fertilize 3 times a month every week and then the fourth week use to flush with clean water. After the spike fades, switch to growth booster and water every two weeks.
I will not tell you where to buy it because you can get it practically everywhere! :)
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