My First Oncidium
 

I just got back from Trader Joe's and brought home a lovely little oncidium - it's my first! I have only had phals till now and I'm still a total beginner.

Here are pics - the blooms are seriously tiny. And bonus, they smell like chocolate, which I didn't even realize till I got home and noticed that the tag said "Onc. Twinkle 'Fragrance Fantasy' and decided to smell it.

Here are a couple pics:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2598/...a158e8038e.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/...4c5c66d06d.jpg

:biggrin: Any beginner pointers on caring for an oncidium?

Since this Onc. is small. Just water it by dunking. Let it dry a little bit before watering. After the bloom is over remove it entirely by cutting it away with scissor. NEVER let it stay soggy.

Water it during daytime is the best since it let excess water to dry out before night. Mist during morning.

Give it some bright indirect sunglight. Avoid hot direct sunlight. Don't worry Oncidium is usually quite hardy

How much Trader Joe's is selling for?

Watch out for aphids..Sometimes they like to hitchhike on oncidiums from stores..That's what happened with one I recently purchased and had to snip the blooms.

It sound pretty true I think most aphid prefer to attack the bloom.

Thanks for the tips! I got this little one for $9.99.

Oh really, I'll have to take a close look. Do aphids eat the blooms?

Trader Joe's has the best prices - saw Dendrobiums in Brooklyn for 8.99.same ones you can get at Lowes or Ikea for 15$ or more.

And the Trader Joe's ones looked in way better condition. nice blooms, not overwatered nor soggy/rotting roots...
Should check more often. What else do they have?
stefano

Not to hijack this thread... but... TJs have Paphs, Phals, Dens, Oncs, Milts, etc. In fact, they had a couple huge (and I mean HUGE) Phals with sprays of 10-12 white blossoms as big as my fist for $15!

BTW, that's such a cute Onc... I really like it. Now I'll have to go back and see if they have any fragrant ones...

:lol: Yup, I'm hooked!

Wow, with all this talk about Trader Joe's, I'll have to run over there and see for myself. Never had any real reason to run across town to look. Hopefully it'll give me a second source for new orchids other than Pike's. *Wallet screaming in agony*

Well at TJ I have seen only hybrids. But they cost half price and the condition is very good.
Just do also your grocery shopping and what you save in that compared to other places will subsidize your orchid!