Oncidium fuscatum

Also known as: Warscewicz' Miltonia or Oncidium fuscatum h.f. alba Miltonia warscewiczii h.f. alba Oncidium fuscatum h.f. album Oncidium fuscatum h.f. roseum Odontoglossum weltonii Miltonia warscewiczii h.v. weltonii Miltonia warscewiczii h.v. weltoni Miltonia warszewiczii var. aetherea Chamaeleorchis warszewiczii Miltonioides warscewiczii Miltonia warscewiczii Miltonioides warszewiczii Miltonia warszewiczii Oncidium weltonii in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Antioquia - Colombia Departamento del Huila - Colombia Panama Peru

General Information

Warscewicz' Miltonia is a sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Colombia, Panama and Peru. It is named after the Polish Orchid Collector in South America in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 23-30cm. Each new growth has a single leathery erect, oblong shaped leaf that grows to 2.5-18cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 2.5-13cm

Flowers

Numerous long lasting, fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Treefern
• 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.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 114mm to 632mm per day, heaviest in May and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 76% to 81%, highest in July and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 15C to 29C, highest in February (17C to 29C) and lowest in January (15C to 27C).

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,

Repotting is best done annually.