Easy Orchid for Tropical Home Garden
by Tara A. Spears, Editor Nayarit edition
Part of the fun of visiting coastal Mexico is living in a jungle with its fantastic array of plants and wild life. Did you know that you can easily grow and enjoy lots of these native species at home? One of my favs is the diminutive Tiny Dancer Onc Ramosum orchid, left. The actual flower is smaller than the photo.
In most places north of the 20th latitude the orchid is a non-native exotic, treasured for its showy flowers but with the reputation of being delicate. Many garden enthusiasts are hesitant to cultivate orchids but this tiny gem is perfect for beginners. The pictured blossom, Onc.Ramosum, is a widespread perennial species of the large neo-tropical genus of the orchid family.
Don’t let the weird looking names intimidate you, the exquisite orchid deserves an extra-ordinary name! Oncidium, (abbreviated as Onc), is a genus that contains about 600 species of orchids from the subfamily Epidendroideae of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The flowers are much smaller than traditional orchids and grow directly from thin stalks that reach up to three feet long. Like other orchid varieties, oncidiums are air plants that do not require soil to live.
The most successful way to raise Ramosum orchids is with plants mounted on slabs of sphagnum moss, rocks, or wood in bright but not direct sunlight. I have mine attached to the shady side of a palm tree. Onc Ramosum orchid’s native habitat has distinct wet/dry seasons. These orchids have adapted to the dry winter by going dormant when the cooler winter night temperatures occur; orchids’ active growth is when the humidity and the minimum night temperatures are higher.
Our region, with its high levels of humidity especially during the period of active growth, makes it easy to grow Ramosum and many other types of orchids. A healthy, growing Epiphytic orchid is indicated by an extensive mass of active roots.
Onc Ramosum should be allowed to dry off for several months after the growing season. This means that you only need to apply water once a month to prevent severe shriveling. The plants will look bad after a few months, but it bounces back 100% when growth commences, usually May through September. This type of orchid will grow poorly and die when potted in topsoil or placed in weak light, but it grows like crazy when given lots of light and good air circulation for its roots. The plant will benefit from heavy fertilizing during the growing season. I drop a couple of pellets of timed release fertilizer once a month during the dormant period (October thru March).
The heat and hot winds can be very stressful for Oncidiums so keep them in the shade during summer. The warmer the weather becomes the more the plants need to be watered and fertilized. In the Jaltemba Bay area, sometime in April the flower will spike. Since this is still the dry season, it is a good idea to start watering but don’t water in the evening to avoid standing water at the base of the flower spike. The oncidium orchid needs a long dry rest after a well-watered growing season.
I consider them to be a secret treasure- you need to take time to study the tiny flowers to see the beauty. The once-a-year blooms of the Onc Ramosum orchid are displayed on an individual wiry branch with many small, intricate flowers. The individual flowers vary in size from one inch (2.5 cm) to 2” (5 cm) long.
The flower petal color is primarily green with rust markings at the base of each segment and a band of vivid golden-yellow; the center petal is a pure white with yellow center. All of these diminutive petals have a lovely ruffled edge. The blooms last for almost a month if a strong wind doesn’t whip them off the stem; this flower also last a long time as a cut flower in a vase.
For those who are wondering what to give for Mothers’ Day, Tiny Dancer is a winner. But don’t wait for a holiday to treat yourself to an orchid. For me, the Tiny Dancer orchid is a delightful part of my tropical garden: when it blooms I know that it isn’t long until the rainy season and summer arrives.
Locally you can see a wonderful jungle garden just minutes south of Jaltemba Bay at the Lo de Perla Jungle Garden in San Pacho. You can take a guided walking tour by appointment: 322 181 1909