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Conservatory Greenhouse

Oncidium crispum

waved-margined dancing lady orchid

A medium-sized, epiphytic orchid with upright, 15-30cm long, evergreen leaves. New growth appears from the base of the swollen stem - pseudobulb. Each pseudobulb is a storage organ for water and nutrients. They are egg-shaped, slightly flattened and partially covered by one or two pairs of green, leafed sheaths. The plant typically flowers in winter, spring or autumn on up to 45cm long, upright or arching stems. New flowering stems arise from the axils of young, mature pseudobulbs and the leafed sheaths. Each stem carries 8 to 20 white, star-shaped flowers, often with dark burgundy red spots and toothed edges. Each flower measures 5-10cm across.

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1B

Botanical details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright, Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Oncidium are a large genus of epiphytic orchids; mature plants form clumps of ovoid to conical pseudobulbs, each with 1-3 mid-green, variably-shaped, leathery leaves arising from the tips. Flower panicles from the bases of the pseudobulbs widely differ in colour and shape
Name status: Unresolved
Plant range: Brazil

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open bark-based orchid compost with addition of perlite, sphagnum moss or coir. Provide enough bright filtered light, but keep away from direct sunlight or a heating source. Ideal temperatures are around minimum 8°C at night and up to maximum 25 °C during day. Water regularly, when the pot feels light when lifted. Ensure that all water drains away, preventing the plant sitting wet. Orchid fertiliser can be applied regularly throughout the growing season. Reduce watering and feeding in winter months. For more notes on cultivation, see oncidium orchid (cool) cultivation

Propagation

Propagation by seed is only possible in a controlled laboratory environment. Mature plants may be divided when the plant overgrows its container. Each division should have at least 3 older pseudobulbs with a sufficient amount of stored energy and water, to support new growth and reduce stress after repotting.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required. Cut off spent flower spikes.

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and scale insects.

Diseases

Generally disease-free. Poor air movement may cause bacterial or fungal rots. Good hygiene practice and sterilising cutting tools prevent the spread of virus diseases.

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