365 days of orchids – day 566 – Oncidium blanchetii
This species is native to Brazil and we have seen it growing at Macae de Cima in Rio State as a terrestrial; amongst rough grasses at 1200m. In this habitat it needs its long flower spike (about 1.5-2m with us) to hold its large yellow flowers clear of surrounding grass and scrub.
The flowers bloom rather successively on this long spike over several months making this a lovely species to grow.
We grow the species cool and bright in Cool Americas and keep it well watered in the summer when in growth but a little dryer in the winter.
Discussion