Oncidium maculatum - a handsome species

[My Green Pets]

Yes, despite the myriad of hybrids, I feel that we often forget the Oncidium species out there. Here is one, Oncidium maculatum, from Mexico.

Some etymology: The Latin maculatum means 'spotted', which is the same root as our word 'immaculate' meaning 'unspotted' or 'untainted' as we use it today. So the common name for this plant would be 'the spotted Oncidium'.

I just got this plant three months ago, so I can't really take credit for the flowers. I was thrilled when the plant began to spike only a few weeks after I brought it home, though! Credit goes to Russ at New Vision Orchids for growing this beauty. Here's hoping I can keep it happy.

The flowers are larger than expected, about 6-7cm across. They have a nice fragrance that reminds me of tropical fruit—papaya, banana, guava, mango—something like that. And it is fragrant from sunrise until sunset, unlike my other Oncidiums, which tend to shut down their perfume factories in the early afternoon.

Enjoy the photos, and my apologies for the bluish colored light. I didn't bother to turn off the growlamp.

[Ray]

I acquired one of those in the purchase of a collection from a divorcing couple about ten years ago, and it has become one of my favorites. A specimen with a dozen spikes is super impressive.

I divided it into about a half-dozen plants about two months ago, so they ought to be ready to go in the spring.


Ray Barkalow
firstrays.com

[WhiteRabbit]

Fabulous! And the fragrance sounds wonderful!

[lotis146]

Very pretty! I have to agree the fragrance sounds great and to last all day, yee-ha! Plant looks pretty healthy too.

[RosieC]

Wonderful!

[My Green Pets]

Two spikes this year and a few more flowers.

[No-Pro-mwa]

What a beauty.

[silken]

Very nice! Another one for my wish list

[Ray]

I acquired a potted one maybe 15 years ago from a "divorce sale", and it spiked almost immediately. That time, the flower spike was a bit over 8' long.

Since then, I have moved it into a basket of sphagnum, and hung it up high in the greenhouse, where it has grown and bloomed reliably, but with more manageable 3' or 4' spikes. About a year ago, I divided it into eight, 6" & 8" baskets.

[My Green Pets]

Ray did I read that correctly? Eight foot long spikes?? How many bulbs did the plant have I wonder? Mine has 6 bulbs and the spike is just over two feet long.