Oncidium

( on - SID - ee - um )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of epiphytic orchids, commonly called Dancing Lady Orchids or Golden Shower Orchids, includes species that need partial shade and regular water for best performance. They are native to a region that spans from Florida and Mexico down through Central and South America. Individual plants range in size, color, and shape, though most produce flowers in shades of yellow or brown-yellow. Blossoms of some species are fragrant. They are mainly grown on trees or in pots on the patio, and are also kept indoors or in greenhouses.

Oncidium Species and Varietals

The genus Oncidium is a member of the plant family Orchidaceae and includes about 340 species. These flowers grow best in USDA hardiness zones 9-12 or Sunset growing zones 17 and 20-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Oncidium altissimum (Wydler's Dancing-Lady Orchid, Popcorn Orchid, Dancing Orchid)
These plants are native to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Lesser Antilles. They produce graceful, branching flower spikes that reach up to 5-6 feet long and are covered in hundreds of small flowers. Blooms are yellow with mahogany markings and have little to no fragrance.

Oncidium baueri (Bauer's Oncidium, Dancing Lady Orchid)
This species of orchid is native to an area that ranges from Costa Rica and South America down through Bolivia and Brazil. Flowers produced by this species are yellow and have central reddish-brown markings. They are pleasantly fragrant, with vanilla and citrus notes. Individual plants have an elegant but compact growth habit, forming clumps of pseudobulbs and glossy green foliage. Flowers are long-lasting.

Oncidium cheirophorum (Hand-Carrying Oncidium, Colombia Buttercup)
Native to Chiapas, Mexico down through Central America to Colombia. Flowers are yellow and shiny, and have an understated but pleasant fragrance. This is considered a miniature species, and produces a compact plant with multiple bulbs. Flower spikes reach up to 10 inches long.

Oncidium ensatum (Latin American Orchid, Florida Dancinglady Orchid)
This species is native to an area that ranges from southern Florida and Mexico down through Central America, Cuba, the Bahamas, and northwestern Venezuela. They are typically epiphytic but can also be grown in substrate, and reach up to 39 inches tall. Flower stems can arch or hang, and reach up to 100 inches long. Blooms are yellow with brownish-red spots.

Oncidium hastilabium (Odontoglossum hastilabium) (Lance-Head Lip Oncidium)
These orchids are native from northwestern Venezuela to western South America. They produce star-shaped to semi-spidery blooms that are very fragrant during the daytime. Foliage is light green. Flowering stems reach up to 5 feet long and hold the pale green and dark reddish-purple blooms.

Oncidium leucochilum (White-Lipped Oncidium)
These epiphytic orchids are native to an area that stretches from southern Mexico down through Honduras. Individual plants produce large bulbs from which green leaves and flowering stems emerge. Branching flower spikes can reach up to 12 feet or more in length, and flowers are green and maroon-brown with white-lavender lips.

Oncidium naevium (Spotted Oncidium, Spotted Dancing Lady Orchid)
This species is considered endangered in its natural range (Colombia and Guyana) due to habitat destruction and plant poaching. It is a medium to small-sized epiphytic orchid with green leaves and arching flowering stems that reach up to 16 inches long. Blooms are white with deep red to scarlet markings, and have yellow central lips.

Oncidium noezlianum (Noezi's Dancing Lady Orchid)
These small to medium-sized orchids are native to cloud forests in Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, and produces slender, arching foliage. Flowers are typically reddish-orange and bloom on long inflorescences.

Oncidium ornithorhynchum (Oncidium sotoanum) (Duck-Billed Oncidium)
In summer, this species produces prolific pink to purple-pink fragrant flowers that are marked with yellow. Flower spikes reach between 8 and 12 inches tall. These plants are native to Mexico through Colombia.

Oncidium sphacelatum (Kandyan Dancer Orchid, Popcorn Orchid)
These plants are native to Mexico and Central America down through southeastern Venezuela. This is one of the largest species in the genus, with flower spikes reaching up to 6 feet tall or more. Each spray holds between 50 and 100 small orchid flowers that are yellow with brownish-red markings. 2-3 green leaves are produced from each large pseudobulb.

Oncidium strictum (Cochlioda stricta, Symphoglossum sanguineum) (Straight Dancing Lady Orchid, Blood Red Symphoglossum)
Native to Ecuador and Peru, this species produces clumps of pseudobulbs, each with 1-3 green leaves. Flowering stems reach up to 50 inches long, and hold pink-purple to dark pink blooms that have white markings at the base of their lips.

Caring for oncidium

Oncidium orchids appreciate bright to very bright conditions, handling direct morning sun very well. They can handle some shade in the afternoon when temperatures are at their peak. These orchids appreciate humid, warm conditions, or at the very least a spot that is sheltered from drying winds and cool air. They can be grown outdoors in areas that are warm, but in cooler-climate zones, they will do best in a greenhouse or even indoors. They are epiphytic orchids naturally, and do not typically grow in traditional soil or potting mix, instead preferring a bark substrate with large pore spaces to allow water to drain away from roots. If too much water is held in the root zone for too long, the roots will tend to rot away. Dancing Lady Orchids need to be watered every two to ten days during the active growing season (when leaves and flowers are putting out growth). In wintertime when they are dormant, water every other month (or less). Wrinkled pseudobulbs are an indication that Oncidiums need more water. Species and cultivars with thicker leaves will need less frequent waterings than those with thinner leaves. During the active growing season, fertilize every two months with a slow-release fertilizer (30-10-10 does well). Prune off spent flower inflorescences as blooms fade, and remove any leaves if they die back completely. Pruned orchids may generate a second flower stalk, though it is common to have only one bloom per year. After a few years in a pot, these plants will need to be repotted and divided. For instructions on how to successfully divide your Oncidium Orchid, see the propagation section below.

Growing Oncidium Indoors
Place your Oncidium in a spot in the home that receives bright, indirect light. Some afternoon shade is acceptable. They are epiphytic orchids naturally, and do not typically grow in traditional soil or potting mix, instead preferring a bark substrate with large pore spaces to allow water to drain away from roots. If too much water is held in the root zone for too long, the roots will tend to rot away. Dancing Lady Orchids need to be watered every two to ten days during the active growing season (when leaves and flowers are putting out growth). Species and cultivars with thicker leaves will need less frequent waterings than those with thinner leaves. They grow well in an area that stays between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night and between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Humidity levels should be kept between 30 and 60 percent for best performance. Situate plants away from drafty areas with cool air. During the active growing season, fertilize every two months with a slow-release fertilizer (30-10-10 does well). Prune off spent flower inflorescences as blooms fade, and remove any leaves if they die back completely. Pruned orchids may generate a second flower stalk, though it is common to have only one bloom per year. After a few years in a pot, these plants will need to be repotted and divided. For instructions on how to successfully divide your Oncidium Orchid, see the propagation section below.

Propagation

The most effective and simple way to propagate Oncidium orchids is through division of existing plants. To propagate your Dancing Lady Orchid plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Oncidium by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh substrate (bark-heavy orchid mixes are best), and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance, especially if you are growing these orchids in a container. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the pseudobulb(s). Once you have worked it up out of the pot, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick pseudobulb section.
Prepare your pot(s) with amended, well-draining soil. A bark-heavy mix is best for epiphytic orchids. Then, plant your divisions.
Do not water newly divided orchids immediately. Instead, wait until new root growth appears. At this point, they can be watered as normal.