Oncidium 'Painter Tropic Jungle'

RHS Plant Profile
dancing lady orchid 'Painter Tropic Jungle'

Synonyms

× Colmanara 'Painter Tropic Jungle'

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

A medium-sized, epiphytic orchid with strap-shaped, 30-40cm long, evergreen leaves. New growth appears from the swollen stem base - pseudobulb, a storage organ for water and nutrients. They are oval-shaped, slightly flattened around the top, and partially covered by two pairs of green leafed sheaths. New flowering stems arise from the axils of young, mature pseudobulbs and the sheaths. Up to 60cm long, branched flowering stems carry large number of 3-4cm large flowers. Each flower is pale yellow, covered with dark brown spots and white lip with dark red pattern around the centre of flower.

Position

Partial shade

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Moisture
Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1A

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
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
Oncidium are a large genus of epiphytic orchids; mature plants form clumps of ovoid to conical pseudobulbs, each with 1-3 mid-green, variably-shaped, leathery leaves arising from the tips. Flower panicles from the bases of the pseudobulbs widely differ in colour and shape
Name Status
Unresolved

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 13°C minimum 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. The orchid will naturally produce aerial roots, growing outside of the pot. As with many orchids, they grow best when well-established and slightly pot-bound. Re-potting should be only done if the plant overgrows its container or before the potting mix starts to deteriorate - approximately once in 2-3 years. For more notes, see oncidium orchid (cool) cultivation

Propagation

Mature plants may be divided when the plant overgrows its container. Each division should have at least 3 older growths with a sufficient 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.