Oncidium Tsiku marguerite is a hybrid species that is a must-have for any orchid nursery or garden. Its evergreen foliage and scented flowers aren’t its only attraction: It is also super easy to grow and care for.
Read below to find out all the essential requirements of cultivating them for yourself.
Contents
What Is Oncidium Tsiku Marguerite?
Oncidium is a genus of orchids from Central and South America. It is known for its compact, rapid growth as well as its heavy bloom and foliage. In 2000, Oncidium Tsiku marguerite was created as a hybrid orchid by crossing Oncidium Twinkle and Oncidium Sotoanum orchids. Learn what it looks like below.
– Flowers
- The flowers of this plant grow in the form of heavy inflorescences on small stalks.
- The flowers themselves are small in size. Oncidium Tsiku petals are pale-pink in color with a yellow-orange center.
- Each flower is only 0.3 to 0.7 inches across in diameter.
- These flowers produce an otherworldly fresh scent that somewhat resembles baby powder.
- Another plus point of this hybrid is that the flowers can bloom all year round.
– Leaves
- Oncidium Tsiku marguerite is an evergreen hybrid. Its foliage lasts throughout the year.
- The leaves are long and ombre colored, growing from yellowish at the base to green at the tips.
– Height
- Oncidium Tsiku is a small-sized plant that grows up to be barely 12 inches tall.
- Most of this height is due to the long stalks of the flowers.
Oncidium Tsiku Marguerite Care
– Water
Oncidium Tsiku Marguerite is an orchid notorious for its extreme tolerance for excess water. It is the one plant you can safely over water without serious consequences. Read below to learn its water requirements and how you can provide them.
– Water to Use
- The safest and healthiest option is to use filtered reverse osmosis or distilled water.
- Rainwater is good too if you happen to live in an area that gets clean rain.
- This orchid will also survive ordinary tap water, given that it is not too heavily laden with chemicals and that it has pH levels below 7.5.
- Use lukewarm water for Oncidium orchids. Room temperature water is alright too. Do not use cold water, though.
– Water Schedule
- This orchid can be safely watered more than your average orchid.
- Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of the soil becomes dry. You can find this out by sticking a pencil through the potting mixture and seeing if the rest of the pencil comes out wet while the top is dry.
- In temperate regions, you will need to water them every other day in summer and every 10 days in winter. In drier and hotter regions, you will need to increase the frequency of watering accordingly.
- Each time you water Oncidium Tsiku orchids, use plenty of water so that it washes over the whole plant, flowing through the potting medium and out through drainage holes.
- Luckily, this orchid is not susceptible to root rot, so over watering is not going to be a problem.
– Light
- The Oncidium Tsiku marguerite is a light-loving orchid. It can tolerate up to 2,000 or even 3,000 foot candles of light.
- Its light requirements are said to be very “Cattleya-like”, in the sense that it likes to be placed under indirect bright light of medium intensity.
- These flowering plants are best grown near eastern windows, where they receive the glorifying morning light.
- You can also put them near southern or western facing windows but do put sheer curtains on the windows in such cases.
- Don’t worry if you find yourself short of natural sunlight for this orchid. Oncidium Tsiku marguerites are quite adaptable and can grow just as well under artificial lights placed at some distance overhead.
- Make sure your orchids are exposed to enough light for the majority of the daytime.
– Soil
- Oncidium Tsiku marguerite grows properly in slightly acidic to neutral soil.
- The soil you should buy and use for them must be well-draining.
- Our florists have had a successful time cultivating them in a potting medium composed of shredded bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss.
- This combination not only drains adequately but also provides breathing room to the roots.
– Temperature
Oncidium Tsiku is a warmer growing houseplant. Your average room temperature works just fine for them.
- In summers, the temperature around Oncidium Ttsiku marguerite should be 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In winters, it should drop to a minimum of 59 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
- This orchid cannot tolerate very low freezing temperatures and has been known to die due to chill-related injuries. If you live somewhere that experiences harsh winters, move them indoors to a warm room or greenhouse.
– Humidity
- The only thing Oncidium Tsiku orchids are fussy about is their surrounding humidity levels. They cannot tolerate fluctuations in humidity.
- Their required humidity levels are 40 to 60 percent.
- We strongly suggest you invest in a hygrometer. It is an appliance used to measure the humidity levels around your orchids.
- In order to increase humidity around Oncidium houseplants, put a pebble tray filled with water under the plant, practice regular misting or buy a humidifier.
- Also, ensure good air circulation around these hybrids.
How To Cultivate All by Yourself
Once you have collected enough information about Oncidium orchids and their daily requirements, your next step should be to buy them and start cultivating them at home.
You can grow them from seed, propagation, or simply repot them. Continue reading as we take you through a step-by-step approach to growing them all by yourself.
– Seeds
Growing these hybrid orchids from seeds can be quite tough. You will need some high-quality seeds from a trusted orchid nursery. Initially, plant these seeds in a sterile nutrient media in a sterile pot.
Maintain the right humidity levels and temperature at all times and wait till there is significant growth of roots and shoots before transplanting the whole orchid to a proper pot.
– Repotting
This hybrid orchid is famous for being very expressive about its need to repot. You will clearly observe white roots growing near the top and edges of the pot. This will be your cue to buy another pot that is 1 inch larger and transfer your orchid to it.
Always change your soil during repotting because the nutrients of the previous will have been used up at that point Also, fertilize this newly potted soil at the same time. Take great care not to damage the roots during the process.
– Grow by Propagation
Another method to grow them is via propagation. You will need to take a sterile sharp knife and delicately cut the vertical pseudobulbs emerging from the roots through the soil of the previously potted plant.
Cover the bottom of this stem under sphagnum moss in a small container. You might need to tie a string around the bulb to keep it upright initially. Place under indirect, bright light and water profusely. Once new shoots emerge, in about one month’s time, move the seedlings to a properly sized pot.
– Fertilize And Feed
- Fertilizer is very important for your Oncidium Tsiku orchids and contributes to their growth and blooming.
- Use a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen content.
- Fertilize regularly: At least once a week during the summer growth period. Reduce the amount and frequency of the nutrients provided during winter.
- Before fertilizing, dilute the fertilizer and use it only at half the recommended strength. This prevents your plant from intoxication and root burns.
- Another trick to prevent root burning due to fertilizer is to water the orchid thoroughly every time before fertilizing it.
– Grooming and Pruning
In addition to taking care of all the cultural requirements of your orchids, you also need to take some time out every other month for grooming and pruning. This is what you should do:
- Remove old leaves and flowers at the start of each growing season.
- Always be on the vigilant lookout for any sign of blight or pest infestation so that the problem can be caught and treated before it gets too late.
FAQ
Is Oncidium Tsiku Marguerite used in making baby powder?
Oncidium Tsiku Marguerite is not used in making baby powder. It is a type of orchid primarily cultivated for its beautiful flowers.
Do you bury air roots when repotting Oncidium Tsiku Marguerite?
When repotting Oncidium Tsiku Marguerite, it is not necessary to bury its air roots. They should be left exposed to allow proper aeration.
Does Oncidium Tsiku Marguerite like small pots?
Oncidium Tsiku Marguerite prefers larger pots to accommodate its growth and root system. Small pots may restrict its development.
Conclusion
To quickly sum up our guide to caring for Oncidium Tsiku marguerite orchids, here are the most relevant takeaway points:
- Oncidium Tsiku marguerite is a hybrid orchid that produces numerous tiny pale pink and orange flowers and evergreen leaves.
- This plant can tolerate indirect bright light. Put them indoors in a well-lit room.
- Water it abundantly. Only allow the top 2 inches of the soil layer to become dry before watering your Oncidium Tsiku again.
- Oncidium Tsiku orchids must experience humidity levels of 40 to 60 percent at all times. It will come in handy to buy a humidifier and a hygrometer.
- This is a cool growing plant and needs normal room temperature for growth.
- Fertilize every week using diluted orchid fertilizers.
- Always water your Oncidiums before fertilizing them so that root burning is avoided.
- Repot as soon as new, wiry, white roots start emerging on the sides and top of the pot. Change the soil too during repotting.
- You can also propagate this orchid by cutting the vertical pseudobulbs emerging from the roots and planting them in a new pot.
This hybrid orchid is a very low-maintenance plant that will only need a few minutes of your time each day. In return, it will fill your home with its evergreen foliage and beautiful baby powder-scented flowers.
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