Oda Florence Stirling "Pink Brocade"

[Dorsetman]

An old hybrid, recorded as registered and originated by Dr.Stirling in 1948. in UK In probable fact was raised by the long-gone firm of Charlesworths, who specialised in what we then called Odontoglossums. ( I still do call them that - but then I'm an old fogey, and after calling them odontoglossums for more than 40 years, it comes hard to call them oncidiums ). They used to produce a paper catalogue of their offerings - and I recall one issue where they had maybe 20 different colour versions of this orchid on the front cover (in 1972 , maybe ).

here seen with two spikes on the only leading bulb , i.e. it's not yet branched, although I expect that soon. Grown in S/H - I put the fourth pic in to show the progress, year by year, represented by the increasing bulb size. This is the first year it has double spiked. Anyone who doubts S/H - look on !

[JDT]

A real beauty and that first spike is full of blooms with another spike to bloom, nicely done Geoff!

[zainal abidin]

Awesome.

[moniluhum]

I read that the odontoglossums ( a version of oncidiums ) was able to handle higher light and temperatures. Is this correct?

[Dorsetman]

On the contrary.
Odontoglossums do better in the North of England, rather than the South. People oftem
grow them with winter night temperatures down to 8 C. In Summer temperatures over 27, they suffer.
But having said all that, I love in the South, and keep a winter night temperature down to 12 or 13, to suit other orchids grown in the same greenhouse.

[Chris in Hamilton]

Very pretty! So, are you growing these in the same area as masdy's?

[Dorsetman]

In the same area, yes.but the odontsetc are in S/H and the mazzies in bark, moss, perlite.

[Chris in Hamilton]

Thank you Geoff, probably explains why I have problems with the oncidium group during the summer.

[Sheryl]

Very pretty, Geoff!

[catttan]

Beautiful!