Hand-Carrying Oncidium, Colombian Buttercup
Oncidium cheirophorum, commonly known as the "Hand-Carrying Oncidium" or "Colombian Buttercup", is a miniature, compact orchid species highly valued for its fragrant, bright yellow flowers and ease of cultivation in smaller spaces.
Location: This species is native to Central and South America, with a range spanning from southern Mexico (Chiapas) through Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama) to Colombia.
Elevation: It is a cool to cold-growing epiphyte found in lower montane wet tropical forests at high altitudes, typically ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 meters.
Environment: In its natural habitat, it often grows on branches of trees where it receives bright light, often in full sun, and high humidity.
Plant Size: It is a dwarf species with small, rounded, or pyriform (pear-shaped) pseudobulbs, usually about 1 inch in size.
Leaves: The pseudobulbs produce single or twin, narrow, apical leaves that are generally 4 to 8 inches (10–20 cm) in length.
Flower Spike: The plant produces slender, often branched inflorescences (spikes) that can be up to 12 inches (30 cm) long.
Flowers: The flowers are small, measuring about 1.5 cm in width, but are produced in large, dense clusters, often with 10 or more flowers per stem.
Growth Habit: It is a quick-growing, compact plant that often becomes a "specimen plant" within 2 to 3 years.
Fragrance: Flowers are known for a strong, pleasant lemon or honey-like scent.
Blooming Season: Usually blooms in the fall and winter, with some reports of blooming in the spring as well.
ColombiaCosta RicaEl Salvador+5