Growing Oncidium species in Brisbane
by D.W. Brough March, 1973.
Growing Oncidium species in Brisbane, especially over the last six years I have
found that invariably, better results have been achieved under glasshouse conditions
as against shade cloth.
Firstly I would like to describe my glasshouse. It is 22ft. long by 12ft. wide, running
east to west. The northern wall is approximately 9ft. rising to 13ft.6ins. at the peak,
with considerable top ventilation. The southern wall is similar and there is batten
ventilation on both sides and ends. The floor has a covering of sawdust about twelve
inches deep which is constantly wet and this retains a relatively high humidity while
still allowing good air movement at all times.
Mixtures have for the best part, been those at hand at the time of receiving a plant. It
is hoped to have them potted in Todea fibre or bark and charcoal One of these days
with the exception of a few I like to grow on tree fern slabs; namely Oncidium
gardneri, ebolleta and sarcodes. I prefer to put my Oncidiums in baskets which
allow the roots better freedom and aeration rather than in pots. Wherever possible I
like to hang my plants rather than use benches, although this is not always practical.
Watering is not done to any special routine or restricted to daylight hours in the
summer months. I later when I consider it necessary provided I have the time; quite
often it is over a week between waterings in the winter months.
Fertilising: my feeding program has always been rather spasmodic, with large gaps
between spraying, a1though I do like to change the feed as often as possible. During
the last nine months I have also been using Mag-Amp as I repot; sometimes at the
base of the pot, sometimes on the top; both with the same degree of success.
(Continued)
Growing Oncidium species in
Brisbane
Environmental Conditions for
Vandaceous Orchids
Adelopetalum bracteatum
Aerangis modesta
Ancistrochilus rothschildianus
Ascocentrum christensonianum
Bulbophyllum annandalei
Bulbophyllum dissitiflorum
Bulbophyllum hamelinii
Bulbophyllum lasiochilum
Bulbophyllum lobbii
Bulbophyllum schillerianum
Cattleya loddigesii
Cattleya skinneri
Coelia triptera
Cymbidium erythraeum
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found that invariably, better results have been achieved under glasshouse conditions
as against shade cloth.
Firstly I would like to describe my glasshouse. It is 22ft. long by 12ft. wide, running
east to west. The northern wall is approximately 9ft. rising to 13ft.6ins. at the peak,
with considerable top ventilation. The southern wall is similar and there is batten
ventilation on both sides and ends. The floor has a covering of sawdust about twelve
inches deep which is constantly wet and this retains a relatively high humidity while
still allowing good air movement at all times.
Mixtures have for the best part, been those at hand at the time of receiving a plant. It
is hoped to have them potted in Todea fibre or bark and charcoal One of these days
with the exception of a few I like to grow on tree fern slabs; namely Oncidium
gardneri, ebolleta and sarcodes. I prefer to put my Oncidiums in baskets which
allow the roots better freedom and aeration rather than in pots. Wherever possible I
like to hang my plants rather than use benches, although this is not always practical.
Watering is not done to any special routine or restricted to daylight hours in the
summer months. I later when I consider it necessary provided I have the time; quite
often it is over a week between waterings in the winter months.
Fertilising: my feeding program has always been rather spasmodic, with large gaps
between spraying, a1though I do like to change the feed as often as possible. During
the last nine months I have also been using Mag-Amp as I repot; sometimes at the
base of the pot, sometimes on the top; both with the same degree of success.
(Continued)
Growing Oncidium species in
Brisbane
Environmental Conditions for
Vandaceous Orchids
Adelopetalum bracteatum
Aerangis modesta
Ancistrochilus rothschildianus
Ascocentrum christensonianum
Bulbophyllum annandalei
Bulbophyllum dissitiflorum
Bulbophyllum hamelinii
Bulbophyllum lasiochilum
Bulbophyllum lobbii
Bulbophyllum schillerianum
Cattleya loddigesii
Cattleya skinneri
Coelia triptera
Cymbidium erythraeum
More Articles