Comparing Oncidium varieties — notes from growing several

I've grown several varieties within the Oncidium family and have some observations to share. wide hybridisation resulting in an almost unlimited colour range varies noticeably between them, more than catalogue descriptions suggest. The care fundamentals are shared — repotting into fresh bark medium every two or three years applies across all of them.

failure to rebloom without a temperature drop trigger affects some more than others, particularly in adverse conditions. I grow mine in a decorative cachepot for a formal living room which works well for most varieties. triggering a new flower spike with cooler autumn nights is the clearest moment of differentiation between varieties — that's when the character of each comes through. Worth growing a few side by side if you have the space.