Oncidium cebolleta

Also known as: The Onion Leaf Oncidium in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Acre - Brazil Amazonas - Brazil Amazonas - Colombia Amazonas - Peru Bahia - Brazil Chiapas - Mexico Departamento de Bolivar - Colombia Departamento del Cesar - Colombia Departamento del Huila - Colombia Guerrero - Mexico Mendoza - Argentina México - Mexico Morelos - Mexico Nayarit - Mexico Oaxaca - Mexico Paraguay Sao Paulo - Brazil Sinaloa - Mexico Veracruz - Mexico

General Information

The Onion Leaf Oncidium is a medium sized warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Argentina, and Paraguay.

Plant Description

Grows to 50cm. Each new growth has a single thick erect, arching, rigid, terete shaped leaf that grows to 1-50cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1.5-2cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Perlite

Care Notes

These orchids like to be kept on the dry side, but may need to be watered daily during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered regularly.

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 0mm to 201mm per day, heaviest in August and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 62% to 81%, highest in August and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 17C to 33C, highest in March (21C to 33C) and lowest in January (17C to 30C).

Watering

These orchids are sensitive to excessive watering and should only be watered when they look thirsty. Water infrequently and ensure that the roots are dry before watering. Keep an eye on them especially during hot weather as overwatering can lead to rot, whereas underwatering may result in wilting or shriveling, which while unattractive, will not kill the plant.

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

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 to Tree trunks, Fern slabs or Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.