15 Oncidium Orchid Varieties: Identification With Photo And Description

The Oncidium Orchid is a herbaceous perennial from South and Central America. Belongs to the Orchid family, which includes epiphytes and lithophytes. There are about 700 Oncidium Orchid Varieties.

People call oncidium “dancing lady”, which is due to the shape of the flowers, which resemble a girl in a loose dress.

How and where does oncidium grow in nature?

Prefers the tropics, rock tops, savannahs, semi-deserts. Grows on trees, stones. The root system sinks into the soil or hangs from the tree trunk.

Distinctive characteristics of Oncidium Orchid

  1. It belongs to the species Oncidium altissimum.
  2. The height of the ground part of the plant reaches 10–40 cm.
  3. Peduncle length – from 10 cm to 5 m.
  4. Elongated pseudobulbs with delicate bright green skin develop above the roots, and above them – 1–4 sessile green leaves.
  5. The orchid blooms 2 times a year, with small bright, yellow, brown, red flowers (diameter 1–1.5 cm).
  6. From 10 to 25 buds are formed on one peduncle.

Popular oncidium orchid varieties identification with photo and description


Many plants are home-grown hybrids. 
The following are considered the most prominent representatives of the Orchid family.

Twinkle oncidium orchid

Twinkle Oncidium Orchid

Differs in compactness, the size of the inflorescence rarely reaches 10 cm. It blooms for up to three weeks with small pink, bright red, white or yellow inflorescences. On one peduncle, from 30 to 50 buds are formed.

In the morning, the flowers emit a delicate, sweet aroma.

Sweet sugar oncidium orchid

Sweet Sugar Oncidium Orchid

This is a dwarf plant: its height does not exceed 40 cm. The buds are bright, yellow, up to 3 cm in diameter. It is distinguished by the presence of a large lip with a brown-red spot at the base.

oncidium crispum orchid

Crispum Oncidium Orchid

It is notable for its large buds, a long peduncle with a branch at the top. The petals are colored in several shades: the upper part is light or dark brown, the center is yellow with red spots.

Here interesting article about How Do Orchids Reproduce? Complete Reproduction Of Orchids At Home.

Yellow oncidium orchid

Yellow Oncidium Orchid

This species has lemon-yellow flowers and lush blooms. On one peduncle, from 10 to 25 buds are formed, which open at the same time and have bright red spots. Blooms for about 1 month. Yellow oncidium orchid care guide.

After cutting, the plant retains its attractiveness for up to 2 weeks.

Here we have also Yellow Oncidium orchid varieties guide.

oncidium splendidum orchid

Splendidum Oncidium Orchid

Differs in curved leaves, rich in yellow flowers. Their number is from 15 to 20 pieces, diameter 5-8 cm. It blooms from January to October. Requires complex care.

Lanza oncidium orchid

Lanza Oncidium Orchid

The uniqueness lies in the thicker and fleshy, yellow-green or red-brown inflorescences. An additional decoration is a large number of brown spots. Blooms from May to November, with a peak in September. The duration of flowering is about 1 month.

Tiger oncidium orchid

Tiger Oncidium Orchid

Tiger oncidium is noticeable with a variegated color of flowers: yellow petals are strewn with small brown specks. The diameter of each bud is 7–8 cm. It blooms only in winter.

Do many people question about orchids life How Long Do Phalaenopsis Orchids Live?

Sharry baby oncidium orchid

Intel(r) Jpeg Library, Version [1.51.13.45]
Intel(R) JPEG Library, version [1.51.13.45]

The buds are red-claret or purple-brown. The lower petal is strewn with white or pink specks.

The flowers give off the aroma of honey and chocolate.

oncidium varicosum orchid

Varicosum Oncidium Orchid 1


This orchid species has large green leaves with a lot of lemon flowers.

oncidium limminghei orchid

Limminghei Oncidium Orchid

On one peduncle, only 1 flower develops with burgundy-brown upper petals, yellow lower ones. It blooms all year round.

oncidium flexuosum orchid

Flexuosum Oncidium Orchid

It blooms from July to August with yellow inflorescences (no more than 1.5 cm in diameter). The buds are collected in a panicle inflorescence, the leaves are painted in a light green shade.

Butterfly oncidium papilio

Butterfly Papilio Oncidium

The flower is located high above the foliage, outwardly looks like a flying moth. The buds are yellow in the middle, bright scarlet along the perimeter.

Types of Outdoor Orchids For Growing In House Garden with pictures and names.

oncidium sphacelatum orchid

Sphacelatum Oncidium Orchid 1

Blooms from December to February with small flowers. They are brown with lemon spots.

Bird-billed (ornithorhynchum)

Oncidium Ornithorhynchum

A large number of small pink or purple flowers develop on one peduncle. A sharp sepal forms above each bud.

oncidium cheirophorum

Oncidium Cheirophorum

Flowering begins in autumn, the plant forms fragrant, yellow buds. Their diameter does not exceed 1.5 cm.

Hybrids

Low-growing hybrids are especially popular. They are divided into three groups: govears (crossed oncidium, leochilus, and rodriguezia), rodriciums (oncidium and rodriguezia), oncidettias (oncidium and communparettia).

Frequently Asked Question about Oncidium Orchids

Here are answers to most asked question about Oncidium orchids and its types

What type of orchid is a dancing lady?

People call oncidium Orchids “dancing lady”, which is due to the shape of the flowers, which resemble a girl in a loose dress.

How do you care for an Oncidium orchid?

The orchid needs timely watering, top dressing, high-quality soil. Negligence leads to the appearance of diseases and pests, the death of a flower.

How much light do Oncidium orchids need?

The flower is picky about the amount of light. It needs abundant lighting, but in extreme heat at midday, the plant needs shading. The optimal daylight hours for oncidium are 12-14 hours.

How do you water an Oncidium orchid?

During the period of active growth, oncidium requires abundant watering with a little drying between the next humidification. A method often practiced by many is immersing a pot with an orchid in a container with soft and warm (distilled or always settled) water. For young plants of oncidium, it is acidified to a pH of 5–6 by passing it through peat.

By autumn, watering is reduced, and for species that have a dormant period in the middle of winter, they stop altogether, maintaining only the corresponding high humidity by spraying or placing vessels with water near the orchids. In plants flowering in the cold season, watering is resumed during the formation of peduncles, and after flowering, their frequency decreases again.

How do you propagate Oncidium orchids?

At home, only a vegetative way of reproduction is possible. During transplanting, the mother plant is divided into parts, cutting the rhizome with a disinfected sharp tool so that on each division there are at least 2, and preferably 3 pseudobulbs. Places of cuts are sprinkled with crushed charcoal. After planting in separate pots, young plants are not watered for several days, and then looked after, as well as adult specimens.

The seed method is used only in greenhouse laboratories in compliance with the required sterility. It is interesting for breeding because it provides an opportunity to obtain orchids with an unusual pattern on the petals and lip.

The Oncidium Orchid is a beautiful, vibrant plant with a powerful root system. Hybrids are great for growing at home. The main thing is to provide the flower with proper care.

I am an avid plant enthusiast and horticulture aficionado with a deep passion for houseplants. With years of nurturing green companions, my expertise in caring for indoor foliage is well-rooted. Through my journey, I've cultivated insights into optimal plant care, propagation techniques, and creating vibrant indoor ecosystems. Join me as we explore the verdant world of houseplants together. Let's turn your living space into a thriving oasis of botanical beauty. Connect with me on admin@houseplantspro.com and Facebook and explore more at Houseplantspro. 🌿🪴

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