Oncidium ‘Heaven Scent’ If you’re growing phals and looking to expand into other types of orchids, this is a great option. It’s fairly undemanding. The flowers last about a month and have a mouth watering chocolate scent (that is if you’re into delicious chocolate). And it’s easier to get to rebloom than the Sherry Baby. Wins all around! Mmmmmm, chocolate…
I’m having some trouble with my Sherry Baby. The new growths are looking good, but no blooms this year. It may need more light. Any advice?
0 Likes Sherry Babies can be finicky. But generally with oncidiums and their intergenerics, I think it comes down to light. They can take a lot more than I would have guessed. All of my oncidium alliance plants, including the Heaven Scent, are in an east window that gets about 5 hours of mostly direct morning sun. She’s freckled a bit but seems to otherwise be fine. I would be careful though. Conventional wisdom is bright but not direct. They are thirstier plants than I would expect given the pseudobulbs. Most literature says to keep them slightly moist. I err on the side of caution resulting in wrinkled pseudobulbs. But I know I’ve gone too far if the leaves start to accordion. Temperature also plays a factor. My understanding is it needs a drop in temperature to initiate flowering. I think it’s around 5 to 8 degrees Fahrenheit. Other things to consider: 1. Is it putting on new growth? Pseudobulbs typically take about a year to develop and bloom only once. 2. How old is your plant? I think they have to over three years old to begin blooming. I’ve had a Sherry Baby seedling for roughly a year so I’ll have better intel from personal experience in a few years 🤞 3. Size of pot? They like a snug fit.
0 LikesYes, it has new growth, and bigger than the previous, so that seems good. I know it’s mature, because I bought it in bloom. Even giving it a year of adjustment time, I thought it would bloom this year. Pot is more on the snug side. Thanks for the advice. I think you just confirmed my suspicion that it needs more light.
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That looks amazing.
1 Like I highly recommend oncidiums. Their clouds of small to tiny flowers are so lovely. It looks like you have been successful with a Cattleya, so I think you would do great. Oncidiums don’t want as much light as a Cattleya and they tend to be thirstier plants. If you do try one, look for a hybrid vs species. I like to start primed for success.
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Oooo dreamy
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I have one of these too! Was a hand me down gift from a fellow orchid friends who was overwhelmed with too many. He told me it had bloomed for him like 3 times already, and was in bloom when he gave it to me. It was heavenly! Was the first thing i did every morning is take a big whiff inhale to start my day. Can’t wait for next year! And thanks for the tip on the accordion leaves!
1 LikeI’ve been growing my orchid collection and found an orchid farm near my moms that’s been around for a hundred years or something crazy like that and they have a vanilla plant that’s like 70 years old and it’s huge!!! Anyway, I got my first Cattleyas there and I was going to pick up a sherry baby with flower spikes but she was HUGE! I didn’t find she smelled like chocolate but we were also in a mansion of a greenhouse… long story short, when people say these plants are fragrant how fragrant?
1 Like Super jealous. It’s good to have a local supplier to support your habits… er, orchid habit. Each plant of the same type can be different but generally speaking, mine is pretty fragrant. I get wafts of it when I am in the same room (a 12’x11’ bedroom). But only in the mornings. So timing could be why you didn’t smell anything, maybe?
1 Like Yup. Mornings was strongest smell on mine too. Quite strong!
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