Where to buy Oncidium Orchids (online, ebay, B&M)

[cinnybuns]

Hi all,

I'm still new to the orchid world, and I heard that Oncidium Orchids are a easy/indestructible plant.

I was wondering where you buy your Onceidium Orchids. I'm open to Online/Ebay or Brick and Mortar stores in NYC.

Thanks, in advance.

[Paul]

No plant is "indestructible" and, as for "easy," different folks may give you very different input as to what plants are easy. Personally, oncs and I often have "issues." I find Cattleya to be far easier and more forgiving ... but I know other folks who can't keep a catt alive to save their life.

I'd recommend Googling for an orchid show in your area. This time of year is typically prime orchid show season. Depending upon just how far you would consider a "reasonable" travel distance, you might wind up with a number of show options. Orchids shows in my state always hold free seminars/presentations dealing with orchid care. (Something which new hobbyists often find useful.)

[RandomGemini]

I agree with Paul's advice. I can grow Oncidiums, but they need a lot of light and regular water and good humidity or their leaves turn out looking all funky. I would go to a local orchid show. You will find growers in your area that have plants that have been growing in similar conditions to the ones you can provide and you can talk to them about how they grow it to get the best idea of how it will grow for you.

[Bud]

NYC?....try the 28th street flower district, Chinatown on Mott street and 14th street Union Square fair every Thursday in Manhattan.
You may also visit the public botanical gardens and sometimes you can chance upon really nice orchids.

---------- Post added at 03:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:31 PM ----------

They are not indestructible; Oncidiums easily get viruses....you need to expose them to almost freezing cold nights to bloom them....for easy to grow orchids in your grow zone: try Phalaenopsis for a start in your windowsill.

[RandomGemini]

I don't think that's correct Bud. Mine rebloom readily and it never gets below 58 degrees in my house.

[Bud]

You are right. While orchids in the Oncidiinae alliance have a wide range of cold tolerance, many of the cool growers that can withstand near freezing temperatures are not grown in warm climates because they cannot tolerate the summer heat. The thick leafed mule ear Oncidium are from lowland tropical areas and cannot tolerate below 60F….
I was thinking of Cymbidiums, and its good you reminded me it was about Oncidiums that we are talking about in this thread.

[AnonYMouse]

Hmm, I don't keep them anymore. I hated repotting them, PIA with their thin dense roots.

If names aren't important, Trader Joe's is a cheap collection waiting to happen. Not always in perfect shape but they aren't orchid specialists (I've seen some questionable plants from orchid specialists, too).

[RandomGemini]

Originally Posted by Bud

You are right. While orchids in the Oncidiinae alliance have a wide range of cold tolerance, many of the cool growers that can withstand near freezing temperatures are not grown in warm climates because they cannot tolerate the summer heat. The thick leafed mule ear Oncidium are from lowland tropical areas and cannot tolerate below 60F….

I was thinking of Cymbidiums, and its good you reminded me it was about Oncidiums that we are talking about in this thread.

I thought you might have been confusing them with Cyms! I have been looking into them lately. I'm very tempted to try those as well not sure I will do well with them though.

[lotis146]

I have a number of different Oncids and I agree that many of them like fairly bright light and can be quite thirsty.

I also would recommend you first see some whole plants in person. There are many good vendors on eBay I can recommend to you, then there's also Seattle Orchids, Marlow's, Andy's, First Ray's... but again I think it's helpful and advisable to get an understanding of what size and shape Oncidium you want. Some of them can be quite large. Just beware when you see shows that those big plants with tons of flowers took time to get that way so imagine the plant smaller with one or two spikes and ask yourself if you still like it. There's so much to choose from in this alliance you really have tons of research you can do to find one that's just right for you.

Good luck, do keep us posted. And one more thing, when thinking about Orchids the term indestructible might not lead you to your perfect orchid because you could get an "indestructible" plant that just lives and lives but never "thrives". I've quickly learned that once you've acquired a bunch of plants, stopped killing them, and rebloomed even some of them your attention starts to refocus on getting bigger and better blooms, more growths, and just overall happier plants.

[hanzy08]

I have done better with oncidiums than phals.. I just hated repotting oncidiums because of the fine roots. oncidium alliance orchids comes in wide array of shapes and color and they are pretty easy and straightforward once you get familiar with their growth pattern. Trader joe's has a lot of cheap oncidiums you can try on.