Oncidium maculosum

Native to: Minas Gerais - Brazil

General Information

Oncidium maculosum is a warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil.

Plant Description

Grows to 8-28cm. Each new growth has numerous lance shaped oblong shaped leaves that grow to 3-20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 4-8cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

Care Notes

These orchids have a fine root system that can quickly die back if left dry for too long, but also does not like to be kept wet, so water regularly but ensure that the mix is dry before watering. 

Climate

The orchids are well adapted for hot weather, accompanied by sporadic, unpredictable rainfall and a generally dry climate. They can tolerate a lot of neglect as they are quite used to it, however they can be prone to underwatering and may collapse in cold, wet weather.

For this reason it's best to dedicate a sheltered, protected area for them where the watering can be controlled, such as a corner of a greenhouse or in a sheltered balcony. They can also do well hung near the roof of a shadehouse or sheltered greenhouse where they receive the extra heat but not as much water as other plants. 

Grows at high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 1mm to 113mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in December. Temperature ranges from 11C to 26C, highest in August (19C to 26C) and lowest in January (11C to 21C).

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,