Oncidium baueri

Also known as: Bauer's Oncidium or Vitekorchis buchtienii Epidendrum floridum Oncidium peliogramma Oncidium advena Oncidium platyglossum Oncidium buchtienii Oncidium schmidtianum Oncidium multiflorum Oncidium hebraicum Oncidium altissimum var. baueri Oncidium pentecostale Oncidium bicameratum Oncidium bolivianum Oncidium kappleri in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Amapa - Brazil Baja California Sur - Mexico Costa Rica Departamento del Cesar - Colombia Departamento del Huila - Colombia Junin - Peru Loreto - Peru Mato Grosso do Sul - Brazil Para - Brazil Region de San Martin - Peru Sao Paulo - Brazil

General Information

Bauer's Oncidium is a large sympodial warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Peru. It is named after the Austrian Botanic Painter in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 60cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery leaves that grow to 2.5-107cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 3.8-15cm

Flowers

Numerous long lasting blossoms appear during Autumn and Winter

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Winter

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 46mm to 274mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 77% to 84%, highest in November and lowest in August. Temperature ranges from 15C to 28C, highest in August (17C to 28C) and lowest in January (15C to 25C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.