× Oncostele Wildcat gx

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Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

Medium-sized, sympodially growing epiphytic orchid, producing a clump of large, ovoid, compressed pseudobulbs, covered by two or three distichous leafy sheaths. Linear, fleshy, evergreen leaves up to 40cm long are borne in pair at the tip of each pseudobulb. Flowering stems can reach up to 75cm and emerge at the base of mature pseudobulbs, between the pseudobulb base and leafy sheaths. Branched racemes carry large number of small, approx 3 cm wide flowers. Colour may vary from ruby-red, orange to yellow with darker markings. Large, older plants with two or more mature pseudobulbs can often carry two or more inflorescences.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–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)
H1A

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming, Columnar upright
Genus
A hybrid genus of orchids used for greges (plural of grex) which contain at least one ancestor species from the genera Oncidium and Rhynchostele
Name Status
Accepted

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 13°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 orchids (warm section).

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 suffient 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. Remove the flowering stem once finished flowering.

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and scale insects.

Diseases

Generally disease-free