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Long term care
Position
Oncidiums are native to the Brazilian high plains. This area
has a well defined wet season. This means the plants have evolved
to have water stored in bulbs. Due to the seasonality of growth
related to the wet season, these plants also require a rest
period. Here in eastern Australia this rest period is during
winter. The plants therefore require protection from water during
winter. This can be achieved by hanging the pots in a tree or
under cover.
Varicosum Oncidiums flower at the end of their summer growing
period in early Autumn.
Medium to strong level light is required for growth and to aid
in flowering. As an indication the leaves should be upright
and light green in colour to reflect adequate light levels whereas
broad flaccid, dark green leaves signify insufficient light.
Potting
In nature these plants grow on trees (epiphytic).to replicate
the open nature of the epiphyte this plant is growing in coarse
styrene topped with gravel. This media has been developed to
give stability to the plant over many years of growth. It is
in essence hydroponic. This media will never need to be replaced,
when the plant outgrows its pot simply slip it into a larger
sized pot and fill the gap with a suitable mix
Although this plant is in a pot, it is well suited to landscape
use and will grow very well on a tree. Care must be taken to
select a position that has sufficient light. Jacaranda trees
have proven to be excellent for this purpose. Plants should
be attached in a fork in the tree so the new growth will develop
along a branch.
Water
While in flower and in a heated area watering should be carried
out daily. The fleshy flowers use massive amounts of water and
some shrivelling of the bulbs in common. When flowering is completed,
watering should be reduced to weekly.
During the summer months watering should be increased to every
day. These recommendations may need to be adjusted to suit the
weather conditions.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing a plant is the last piece of information as it is
the least important part of the information here, although it
is important to get this aspect correct. Fertilizer is nutrient.
Plants require a balanced diet of elements. These nutrients
are supplied in the form of salts to the plant. If too much
is applied then the plant cannot take up the nutrient nor can
it take up any water. This will be fatal to the plant. It is
much safer to under dose than overdo it hoping to make the plant
grow better. Sick plants require less fertilizer and a strong
dose will often finish them off.
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