Sharry baby
Location
Orchid Room
- Common Name: Sharry baby
- Scientific Name: Oncidium Sharry Baby
- Family Name: Orchidaceae
- Origin: Central America
- Height: 8 to 10 inches, but the long flower spike can boost the height up to 4 ft
- Width: 1 to 2 ft
- Growth: Slow
- Zone: USDA Zones 9 through 12
- Light needs: Bright, indirect light or dappled shade.
- Salt tolerance: Low
- Soil/pH/Texture: As an epiphytic plant, it should be cultivated on tree branches and trunks or grown in a bark-based, well-drained orchid medium.
- Moisture: High moisture and humidity are needed. Air humidity should be 40-70%. The roots should be kept moist but not soaked, as overwatering can cause rot.
- Drought tolerance: Low
- Pests/Diseases: Prone to root rot when overwatered.
- Growing conditions: This plant needs indirect light, as direct sunlight will burn the leaves. It does well as an indoor plant as long as attention is paid to the air humidity – misting the plant regularly will accomplish this. It is very cold sensitive and needs night temperatures above 50 degrees F. To induce flowering, daytime temperatures of 50 degrees F are needed, and watering should be reduced.
- Characteristics: This orchid has long, dark green, leathery leaves which grow from pseudobulbs at the base of the plant. Flowers grow on long, thin spikes which may be up to 3 ft long. Each spike contains numerous flowers, with the largest spikes capable of bearing up to 100 flowers. The flowers themselves are burgundy red with yellow petal tips and a white labellum. This orchid is capable of blooming up to three times a year.
- Propagation: By division of pseudobulbs.
- Facts: This plant is a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. It is thought to be one of the most popular orchids in the world. The flowers have a strong aroma comparable to vanilla or chocolate.
- Designer considerations: This epiphytic orchid can be perched on tree trunks and limbs to add color and interest. Place it in an area close to the ground so that the sweet aroma of the flowers can be enjoyed. This orchid also makes a great houseplant, as its flowers can be cultivated and enjoyed indoors.