Oncidium cheirophorum

A dwarf epiphytic Oncidium from the humid mid-elevation forests of Central America and Colombia, known in Spanish as botón de oro. Small pear-shaped, dark-blotched pseudobulbs carry dense sprays of shiny, slightly fragrant dark-yellow flowers about 1.5 cm across, usually in autumn and winter. It is an intermediate-to-cool grower that likes bright light, plenty of water in the growing season and a short drier spell.

At home, aim for

Day IntermediateTargets in Plantistry

Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Ordinary room humidityBand in Plantistry

Light Bright, filtered lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

Expects a seasonal restGrows on trees (epiphyte)

Where it grows wild

Epiphytic on trees in humid lower montane forest and cloud forest, often in the wetter but sunnier parts of the forest such as edges and upper branches. Its small size means it often grows on twigs and thinner branches.

Recorded elevations are 600–2,200 m, median 1,350 m. Sources give 1,100–1,300 m (Spanish Wikipedia) and 1,000–2,500 m (culture notes). It is a mid-elevation, intermediate-temperature plant.

Mexico: ChiapasGuatemalaEl SalvadorHondurasNicaraguaCosta RicaPanamaColombia

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.