Oncidium incurvum

Also known as: The Bent Oncidium or Oncidium alboviolaceum Oncidium incurvum var. album Oncidium incurvum f. album in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Oaxaca - Mexico Puebla - Mexico Tabasco - Mexico Veracruz - Mexico

General Information

The Bent Oncidium is a cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Mexico. The name refers to the inward curved petals.

Plant Description

Grows to 25-40cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery leaves that grow to 2-45cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 2-10cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear during Summer and Autumn

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Summer

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• 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.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 23mm to 163mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in January. Temperature ranges from 8C to 25C, highest in May (15C to 25C) and lowest in January (8C to 18C).

Watering

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 well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.