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Dancing Ladies Orchid Gomesa flexuosa

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Oncidium flexuosum
Phonetic Spelling
GOH-mes-uh fleks-yoo-OH-suh
Description

Dancing Ladies Orchid is an epiphytic tropical orchid native to Brazil and Argentina in the Orchidaceae family. It is found in coastal mountains and along inland creeks and marshes in the native habitat and tends to grow on trees but can also grow on the ground. It has yellow flowers with brown to dark purple blotches that appear from fall through winter. The leaves are leathery and green. Climbing roots grow from the stem and psuedobulbs are present to hold water during drought periods.

Grow this plant in an orchid mix that drains freely. It likes bright but indirect light, humidity of 50-80 % and moist soil. It may be best grown in a conservatory-type setting.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Root rot can occur with too moist conditions and poor draining soils

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#epiphytic#orchid#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#epiphytic#orchid#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Gomesa
    Species:
    flexuosa
    Family:
    Orchidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Brazil, Argentina
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Houseplant
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers grow in clusters with many blooms on the branched stems. They have 3 petals surrounded by 3 sepals. Lower petals are larger and yellow with brownish purple at the throat and the small upper petals are blotched with purple-brown. They are 1-1.5 inches and showy. They bloom in fall and winter.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leathery green oblong leaves occur in pairs and are 4-12 inches long and 1-2 inches wide. They sheath the stem and 2 pseudobulbs are at the base
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Description:
    Multi-branched stems are zig zaged
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Humidity