The Perfect Lighting For Oncidium Sharry Baby Orchids

how many foot candles oncidium sharry baby

The Oncidium 'Sharry Baby' orchid is a cross between Oncidium Jamie Sutton and O. Honolulu. It is easy to grow and flower and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and watering conditions. To encourage blooming, it should be placed in a brightly lit location with 2,500 foot candles of light and partial shade during the day. It should be noted that inadequate lighting is a common issue for this plant.

Characteristics Values
Foot candles 2500
Humidity 30-60%
Temperature during the day 70-85°F
Temperature at night 60-65°F
Temperature during flowering A few degrees lower than during the day
Lowest temperature tolerated 55°F
Fertilizer type High nitrogen formulation (30-10-10)
Potting medium Evenly moist and breathable
Repotting When roots outgrow the current pot
Soil Well-draining compost soil
Light Brightly lit location in the morning, full or partial shade during the day
Height 1 foot tall

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Oncidium Sharry Baby requires 2500 foot candles of light to set buds

Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids are easy to grow and flower. They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, except for very cold or hot conditions. However, a daytime temperature of 70-85°F (21-29°C) is ideal for encouraging blooming and growth, with night temperatures of 60-65°F (16-18°C). During flowering, maintain the temperature a few degrees lower to help the flowers last longer. Ensure the temperature does not dip below 55°F (13°C) to prevent damage to the orchid.

In terms of light requirements, Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids require 2500 foot-candles of light to set buds. They can be placed in a brightly lit location in the morning and then moved to a spot with full or partial shade during the day. Outdoors, they thrive in dappled sunlight during the summer. In a greenhouse, they can receive 21,500-64,500 lumens (2,000-6,000 foot-candles) of light, depending on the specific plant. In the home, east, south, or west-facing windows providing 1-5 hours of sunlight are ideal.

Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids can also be grown under artificial light. Place the lightbulbs or LEDs about 1-2 feet above the plant, emitting at least 10,000 lumens (900 foot-candles). The minimum recommended lumens for growth is 2,000 lumens (100 foot-candles), but flowering may be poor below 10,000 lumens.

To promote blooming, ensure adequate light exposure, especially during the fall when spike setting occurs. Long or cold nights seem to stimulate spikes, so consider placing the plant outdoors during this season if possible. Additionally, maintain proper temperature and humidity levels, and fertilize regularly with a bloom-booster formulation as flower spikes form.

Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids have vigorous root systems and require an evenly moist, breathable potting medium. They prefer well-draining compost soil and a mixture of sphagnum moss, bark chips, and tree fern fiber. Repotting is typically done every three to four years when the roots outgrow the current pot.

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They can be grown outdoors in dappled sunlight during the summer

Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids can be grown outdoors in dappled sunlight during the summer. They are easy to grow and flower and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, except for very cold temperatures. They require well-drained compost soil and can be grown in a mixture of sphagnum moss, bark chips, and tree fern fiber.

When growing Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids outdoors, it is important to provide them with adequate light and moisture. These orchids require 2,500 foot-candles of light to set buds, and they can be placed in a location that receives full sun or partial shade. During the morning, they thrive in bright light, while during the day they can be moved to a spot with dappled sunlight or partial shade.

Maintaining proper humidity levels is also crucial for the health of Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids. The humidity should be maintained between 30% and 60%, and placing the plant above moist pebbles in a tray can help increase humidity. Fertilization is also important for the growth and flowering of these orchids. Regular fertilization with a bloom-booster formulation during the growing season can promote strong pseudobulbs and flowering.

Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids have vigorous root systems and require an evenly moist but breathable potting medium. When repotting, it is important to position the newest growth away from the edge of the pot to allow for maximum new growth in the center. The roots should be spread over a cone of potting medium and firmly secured in place.

Overall, Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids can thrive outdoors in dappled sunlight during the summer months. By providing adequate light, moisture, humidity, and fertilization, these orchids can grow and flower successfully.

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In a greenhouse, they require 2000-6000 foot candles of light

Oncidium 'Sharry Baby' orchids are easy to grow and flower. They can be grown in a greenhouse or indoors, and they require 2,000 to 6,000 foot-candles of light, depending on the specific plant. In a home setting, east-, south-, or west-facing windows are ideal as they will provide about one to five hours of sunlight. Oncidium will also grow well under artificial light. Use lightbulbs or LEDs that emit more than 10,000 lumens (900 foot-candles) and place them one to two feet above the plant.

For reference, 2,500 foot-candles of light are required for Oncidium 'Sharry Baby' to set buds. In comparison, Phals set buds with only 1,000 to 1,500 foot-candles of light. Inadequate lighting is a common issue for hobbyists, and it can prevent the orchids from blooming.

Oncidium 'Sharry Baby' orchids can also be grown outdoors in dappled sunlight during the summer. Moving the orchids outdoors in the late summer and fall can encourage blooming, as the days are shorter and the temperatures are cooler. Long nights and cold nights seem to stimulate the spikes. However, it is important to note that the temperature should not drop below 55°F (13°C) as this can damage the orchid.

In addition to light and temperature requirements, Oncidium 'Sharry Baby' orchids require well-draining compost soil. They enjoy a mixture of sphagnum moss, bark chips, and tree fern fiber. Repotting is only necessary when the roots have outgrown the current pot or when the medium has decomposed, which typically occurs every three to four years.

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They grow well under artificial light, such as T5 lights

Oncidium 'Sharry Baby' orchids require 2,500 foot candles of light to set buds. This is a relatively high amount of light, and it is important for the healthy growth of the plant. While they can be grown outdoors, they are also well-suited to artificial light, which can be beneficial if you are unable to provide the required amount of natural light.

T5 lights are a type of fluorescent light bulb that is tubular in shape and 5/8" in diameter. They are known for producing a high amount of light in a small area and are often used in commercial and industrial settings. Compared to other types of light bulbs, such as T8 bulbs, T5 bulbs can provide more light using fewer bulbs, which can result in long-term cost savings.

When using T5 lights for growing Oncidium 'Sharry Baby' orchids, it is important to consider the amount of light the plants require. The lights should be placed about 1-2 feet above the plants and provide at least 10,000 lumens (900 foot-candles). This can be achieved by using multiple T5 bulbs, as they are relatively small and can be easily mounted in a fixture.

In addition to adequate lighting, it is important to maintain the proper temperature and humidity levels for Oncidium 'Sharry Baby' orchids. These plants prefer intermediate to warm temperatures, with a range of 55F-60F (13C-16C) at night and 80F-85F (27C-29C) during the day. Humidity should be maintained between 30 to 60 percent, and the plants should be placed in an evenly moist, breathable potting medium.

By providing the right combination of light, temperature, and humidity, you can successfully grow Oncidium 'Sharry Baby' orchids under T5 lights, even if natural light is limited. This allows you to enjoy the beauty of these orchids year-round, regardless of the outdoor conditions.

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Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids require well-drained compost soil

Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids are among the most popular orchids in the world, and for good reason. They are prized for their irresistible fragrance, which has been compared to chocolate or vanilla, and their beautiful, branching spikes of deep-red flowers with white tips. While Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids are considered temperamental and difficult to grow, with the proper care, it is possible to cultivate them relatively easily. One of the most important factors in their care is the soil or compost in which they are potted.

Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids can also be grown in a variety of other media, including charcoal, cocopeat, pine bark, sphagnum moss, and tree fern fibre. Cocopeat, in particular, is recommended for its ability to provide adequate drainage. When choosing a potting medium, it is important to avoid leaf mould compost, as this is not advisable for these orchids. Additionally, Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids should be slightly under-potted, as they prefer small, confined pots. Large pots can cause the compost to become too moist, leading to root rot.

In terms of lighting, Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids require bright, filtered light and good ventilation. They thrive in locations with morning sun and afternoon shade. In terms of temperature, they require a minimum night temperature of 50-64°F (10-18°C) and a daytime temperature of 64-71°F (18-22°C). They can tolerate temperatures up to 95-100°F (35-38°C) as long as they cool down to 70-80°F (21-27°C) at night and are provided with adequate water.

Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids should be fertilized regularly with a weak, diluted orchid fertilizer during the growing season. They also require high humidity, which can be achieved by placing the plant above moist pebbles in a tray. Overall, while Oncidium Sharry Baby orchids have specific requirements for their care, providing them with well-drained compost soil and the proper lighting, temperature, fertilisation, and humidity conditions will result in healthy, beautiful orchids.

Frequently asked questions

Oncidium Sharry Baby needs 2,500 foot candles of light to set buds.

Maintain a room temperature of between 70 and 85 degrees F during the day to encourage the Sharry Baby to bloom and grow. At night, the temperature should be lowered to 60 to 65 degrees F.

Oncidium Sharry Baby can be grown in a greenhouse or indoors. In a greenhouse, they require shade to partial sun, or about 2,000-6,000 foot-candles. In the home, east, south, or west-facing windows where they will get about 1-5 hours of sun are ideal.

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