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[Culture] [Taxonomic Breakdown]The different genera of the Oncidium Alliance vary in the growing temperatures that they require. These cultural notes are divided into sections. Cool genera and Warm genera. Cool-Growing GeneraThese New World Tropics, high-altitude orchids are popular where cool temperatures prevail. The Colombian miltonias (truly Miltoniopsis) and showy odontoglossums have striking sprays of flowers. Culture is similar for hybrids in this group, some being Odontonia, Odontioda and Vuylstekeara. LIGHT levels should be bright. An east window or a shaded south window in the home is ideal; western exposures are usually too warm in most climates. In a greenhouse, levels from 2,000 to 5,000 foot-candles are acceptable; some Miltoniopsis growers demand the pink flushing in the plants' leaves which results from the high light levels. If summer day temperatures are high, light levels can be reduced to cool the growing area. TEMPERATURE is critical for these plants; day temperatures below 75 to 80 degrees F are preferred year-round. Night temperatures of 55 to 58 degrees F are best. Short periods of warmer day temperatures may be tolerated, especially if humidity and air movement are at optimal revels and nights are cool. Miltoniopsis plants prefer night temperatures at the upper end of the range while many odontoglossums thrive at 50 to 55 degrees F at night. WATER should be plentiful, coupled with perfect drainage. The potting medium should just start to dry before watering again. "Accordion-pleating" on miltonia leaves is a symptom of insufficient water or humidity, and may appear on plants of other genera if severe. This may mean watering every two to seven days, depending on weather, pot size and material, and type of potting medium. HUMIDITY ideally should range from 40% to 80%, is important for all these orchids, coupled with moving air. In the home, set the plants on trays above moist pebbles, with the pot resting above the water. Misting is beneficial, but in the mornings only. Evaporative cooling in a greenhouse increases humidity while cooling the air and is highly recommended for these orchids in most climates. Fogging the air or dampening the floor with water also helps cool and humidify. FERTILIZER should be applied regularly while plants are actively growing. Applications of 30-10-10 formulations twice a month are ideal for plants in a bark-based potting medium. A 20-20-20 formulation should be used on other media or on slabs. If weather is dull applications once a month are sufficient. Some growers use a high-phosphorus 10-30-20 formulation bloom booster as plants approach flowering. REPOT as new growth emerges from the base of the plant, which is usually in the spring or fall. These orchids like to be very pot- bound, so when repotting leave only enough room for one to two years of new growth. A fine-grade potting medium with excellent drainage is required; since the medium is kept moist, annual or bi-annual repotting is normal. Usually the lowest one-quarter to one-third of the pot is filled with drainage material, either crock shards, rocks, or Styrofoam "peanuts". Spread the roots over a cone of potting medium and fill in around the roots with potting medium. Firm the potting medium well around the roots by applying pressure. Keep humidity high and the pot dry until new roots form. A vitamin B1 compound may help establish newly potted plants. Warm-Growing Genera
HUMIDITY should be between 30% and 60%. Most of these orchids require less humidity than some other orchids. In the home, placing the plants on trays above moist pebbles is ideal. Misting the plants in the morning may help increase humidity but is usually not recommended for fleshy-leafed types. Most greenhouses have adequate humidity. FERTILIZER should be applied regularly while plants are actively growing. Applications of 30-10-10 formulations twice a month are ideal for plants in a bark-based potting medium. A 20-20-20 formulation should be used on other media or on slabs. If skies are cloudy, applications once a month is sufficient. Some growers use a high-phosphorus, 10-30-20 formulation bloom booster as plants approach blooming. REPOT when new growth begins from the base of the plant, which is usually in the spring. A fine-grade potting medium is usually used with fine-rooted plants and coarser mixes with large-rooted plants; the standard size is medium-grade. Usually the lowest one-quarter to one-third of the pot is filled with drainage material, either crock shards, rocks, or Styrofoam "peanuts". The plant should be positioned in the pot so that the newest growth(s) are farthest away from the edge of the pot, allowing the maximum number of new growth before crowding the pot. Spread the roots over a cone of potting medium and fill in around the roots. Firm the medium well around the roots by applying pressure. Keep humidity high and the pot dry until new roots form. A vitamin B1 compound may help establish newly potted plants. "Equitant" and "mule-ear" oncidiums, as well as other fleshy- leaved and/or large rooted plants, can be grown on slabs of cork bark or treefern or in pots of a coarse, well-drained medium such as charcoal. Prepared by: Education Committee, American Orchid Society, 6000 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33405 (407) 585-8666.
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