How to Grow and Care for Oncidium Orchids (Odontoglossum) Oncidium spp. (syn. Odontoglossum)
Are you up for a growing challenge? Have you mastered the art of raising Phalaenopsis orchids? Then it’s time to check out Odontoglossum orchids, also known as tiger orchids.
Native to high altitudes in the Andes in South America, these orchids are renowned for their big, vibrant blossoms that can last for months.
They’re also known for being a bit challenging to grow because they thrive in conditions not typically found in most homes.
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Don’t let that intimidate you, though, it’s not impossible and imagine how good you’ll feel when your orchid is in full bloom in all its glory.
Additionally breeders have created a number of adaptable hybrids and cultivars that are much easier to care for.
By the time you finish this guide, you’ll be an expert. Here’s what we’ll go over to make that happen:
Before we talk about how to cultivate these orchids, we need to clear up some terminology.
I know we often call them Odontoglossum, but that’s not quite accurate. They might be classified that way, but they might not. Weird, right? Let’s discuss.
What Are Odontoglossum or Oncidium Orchids?Odontoglossum is a mouthful, so it helps to break it down.
Odonto is Greek for tooth, and glossa is Greek for tongue. Put them together, and you have “tooth-tongue.”
This is a reference to the fleshy little lumps found on the upper surface of the lowermost petal, which is known as the labellum.
Now that you know what the name means, you can forget about it.
Orchidists and botanists have been engaged for years in a fiery debate over how to classify
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