Popcorn Orchid Oncidium sphacelatum
Previously known as:
- Oncidium schrautianum
- Oncidium stenostalix
- Phonetic Spelling
- on-SID-dee-um spass-el-LAH-tum
- Description
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The popcorn orchid is a tropical, epiphytic herbaceous perennial in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is one of the largest orchids in the Oncidium genus and may have a flower spike up to 6 feet tall with a large, branching spray of 50 to 100 small yellow flowers with brown markings. This plant is usually an epiphyte, but it occasionally grows as a lithophyte in its native habitat. It is native across a wide area from Mexico to northern South America. The species epithet, sphacelatum, is Latin for “having brown speckling or spotting.”
Provide a coarse to medium, bark-based orchid potting medium that allows for good aeration and drainage. They grow bright, indirect light, such as a south- or east-facing window. They need high humidity (above 60%) and good air circulation. When in active growth, the popcorn orchid should be watered thoroughly and then allowed to dry out before watering again. That means a plant may need water no more than once a week, depending on conditions. During the winter, when they are not growing, they can be watered less frequently. During dormancy, they are very tolerant of drought. Fertilize during the growing season with orchid fertilizer mixed in water according to instructions on the label. They are best propagated by division in the spring.
The flowers of the popcorn orchid are small, but they are produced in profusion, on arching panicles that may be three or more feet long. The yellow and brown flowers are showy and mildly fragrant. The flowers appear on a stem that originates from the pseudobulb. The 2 to 3 leaves also emerge from the large pseudobulbs and are long, medium green, and strappy.
This plant can grow very large, outgrowing a windowsill, but it makes an excellent greenhouse subject. It can spend its summers outdoors.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: These orchids have few problems. They are generally not affected by pests, but watch for mealybugs or spider mites. Insufficient light results in poor flowering.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Oncidium
- Species:
- sphacelatum
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico, Central America, Southeast Venezuela
- Distribution:
- Native: Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Venezuela
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Dense
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Many fragrant bright yellow flowers with brown blotches cascade on panicles up to 6feet long (but usually about 3 feet). Individual flowers are about 1 inch wide.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are medium green, strappy and produced around water-storing pseudobulbs.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
