Oncidium Outdoor Care

[theanalyst]

The latest edition to my orchid family is an oncidium that I purchased a few months ago, while visiting family out-of-state. The tag did not have proper info, but I've included two photos below.

Unfortunately, it has been growing in my office with a CPW that shines on it for several hours a day because my cats have discovered it to be a tasty treat and it is too big for my indoor mini greenhouse. I would like to be able to keep it somewhere in view (at least more often) and am considering placing it outside for the summer. What are your recommendations?

The front of my house faces Southwest, but is partially shaded by large trees. It will receive some bright light in the morning and some shade in afternoon. Since I live in Central Upstate NY, I am prone to many rainy days, so I would keep it under my front door's awning. Will this be adequate or is there anything I should be concerned about? Also, any suggestions about pest control?

This is my first time growing an orchid outdoors, so I'm a bit anxious!

[Sharry]

Hi Analyst: I have been growing orchids for about 15 years now first in Pa and now in MD so we have simillar climate. My experience is that most Oncidiums thrive outside -Twinkle, SharryBaby, mule-ears. Most of my orchids seem to do better with an outdoor vacation. The only ones that did not - some Phals that just got kind of droopy. I do have Onc. hastilabium species that did not like it when it got very hot and aborted a growth so it probably also depends on the temp preferences

[flexdc]

I think for your orchid in particular, it would really benefit from a few months out doors, specially in semi shade.
The type of hybrid you have can tolerate a wide range of temp, we growth these outside year round here. Temp ranges from 90s to 40s and they flower and bloom every year

Andrew

[shushu45]

Your Oncidium is very lovely.
Where are the spikes coming out from??

[WhiteRabbit]

That will definitely appreciate some more light!

Shushu, Oncidiums spike from the base of the pbulbs, coming up in between bract foliage.

[billc]

I'm in the Newburgh area and my intergenerics thrive outdoors in the summer. Just keep them watered well.

Bill

[theanalyst]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! As I've been monitoring it this week, things are good so far. Bright light during the day, especially in the morning (well, when it isn't raining!).

Sonya, thanks for answering!

Bill, no problem with watering here. We have been getting pop-up rain showers almost everyday.

[theanalyst]

Hey everyone! I'm replying with an update needs some advice and guidance. Remember, this is my first oncidium and first orchid outdoor growing experience. I had the oncidium growing outside, it a bright area (when it isn't raining, which was almost daily for a week) that faces southwest. Initially, it seemed to be doing well, but after a couple weeks (and less rain) I believe the leaves began to burn and crack, as well as become a bit yellow. A picture if below (the tears on the back leaves are not from the outdoors, those are from my kitten--the reason the plant was moved outside!). I have since moved the orchid against the wall of my house, but I'm not sure if it receives enough bright light since I have a small overhang above the door. It has been very humid out, so I haven't needed to water the plant much.

What do you think and suggest? Lighting? Water? Humidity? Too much moisture?

[WhiteRabbit]

Looks a little burned, but the foliage is quite floppy - a sign of insufficient light. Going from low light (inside) to the higher light outside could cause some burn since the plant is not acclimated to the higher, or longer period of light.

The brown spotting could be from too damp, maybe ...

[theanalyst]

Thanks Sonya! The lighting inside wasn't that low, as I had a fluorescent light aimed at it for 5 or so hours a day. So now, I'm wondering if it was getting enough light outside, but too much direct (which caused the burn).

It is a bit more floppy and the leaf color has faded.