Congratulations – you have joined the orchdelirium, those enthralled in collecting orchids. Especially in Japan, Oncidium or ‘Dancing Lady’ orchids are some of the most popular and easily raised. Hundreds of thousands are exported to Japan every year from Taiwan, which even boasts of an Orchid Island off its southeast coast.
Seen high up on a tree branch, the sprays of delicate yellow or brown flowers springing from long stalks do indeed resemble cavorting, filmy females in flaring costumes. Taxonomists, less easily swayed by such thoughts, labelled the genera from onkos, Greek for a tumour, after the swelling on the lip of the blooms.
Their native habitat extends through the subtropical and tropical Americas, including the Caribbean islands and even extending to Florida, where the 400-plus known species grow as epiphytes, terrestrially or as lithophytes (rock-hugging). In the wild blooms range from yellow through maroon into brown and even green colours. Cultivation has expanded these to include white, purples and reds.
Those Dancing Lady orchids sold as houseplants prefer brighter light than many of the most popular species of the Orchidaceae but still dislike prolonged exposure to direct sun. Close to an east, west or south window is an ideal location. Temperatures that are comfortable for their human handlers are just fine for the Oncidium sold for home culture: 30ºC days, 15ºC at night, although they will tolerate slightly either side of these.
Spritz lightly with tepid water every morning and water thoroughly at weekly intervals, allowing becoming dry between. Cut back water during the winter months when the plants tend to go dormant and cease producing new foliage.
Fertilize every other watering in spring summer and fall with specially formulated orchid fertilizer.
Like many another houseplant though they thoroughly dislike stale, stagnant air – smoking of any substance is definitely verboten. An overhead fan kept moving at low speed will make a vast improvement to growing conditions.
Amongst orchid fanciers this is known as “buoyant air.”
Lorne Michaels, producer of
Saturday Night Live at NBC, had orchids on his desk. According to Doug Hill writing in 1986: "For Lorne there were cases of Evian water, exotic orchids for his desk, and a better white wine.” Nice going if you can get it and a considerable improvement on what the show’s stars often indulged in.
