Oncidium sphacelatum

Dancing lady

A large, vigorous epiphytic Oncidium from the warm lowlands of Mexico and Central America, with a disjunct record in Venezuela. Clusters of flattened pseudobulbs carry narrow leaves and tall branched sprays, up to about 1.5 m, of bright yellow flowers barred with brown, mainly in late winter. It is a warm, bright-light plant with a marked dry season, and it is one of the easier species Oncidiums to flower.

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 tree branches in warm, humid lowland forest and forest edges, below about 1,000 m according to the literature. It forms big clumps in bright positions, and the region has a long, sunny dry season.

Recorded elevations are 3–2,978 m, but the median is only 281 m. The literature gives below 1,000 m, and the very high records are likely errors or cultivated plants.

Mexico CentralMexico GulfMexico NortheastMexico SoutheastMexico SouthwestBelizeGuatemalaHondurasEl SalvadorNicaraguaVenezuela

🔒 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.