Oncidium Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance' AM/AOS

The Oncidium Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance' AM/AOS presents a graceful cascade of deep, rich burgundy-red flowers, often highlighted with a crisp white or pale pink labellum. Each flower is relatively small, about 1 to 1.5 in. across, but they are borne in impressive sprays on branching inflorescences that can reach over 2 feet in length. The plant itself is medium-sized, an easy grower with plump, oval pseudobulbs that develop into a charming, compact clump. The foliage is bright green, leathery, and strap-like, adding a vibrant texture to your growing space. A distinguishing characteristic of this cultivar is its exceptional fragrance, reminiscent of chocolate with notes of vanilla, which intensifies during the day.

Quick Start Summary: Light: Medium to bright indirect light, similar to that for Cattleya. Avoid harsh, direct afternoon sun.

Temps: Warm to intermediate; ideal range is 60 to 85 F. Provide a 10 to 15 F drop at night.

Water: Water thoroughly just as the media approaches dryness. Reduce frequency slightly in winter.

Humidity: 50% or higher is ideal. Use a humidity tray or grouping of plants if necessary.

Fertilizer: Balanced orchid formula, diluted to half strength, applied weekly or every other week during active growth.

Media: Fine-grade bark mix or a blend of bark, charcoal, and perlite that drains quickly.

🌺 Orchid Lore & Discovery

Oncidium Sharry Baby is a highly successful and popular hybrid, not a species, created in 1983 by the grower H. S. Sharry. Its parentage is a cross between Oncidium Jamie Sutton and Oncidium Honolulu. The goal of the hybridization was to combine the floriferous nature and ease of growth from its ancestors with a striking, long-lasting fragrance. The 'Sweet Fragrance' clone, recognized with an Award of Merit (AM) from the American Orchid Society (AOS), is particularly noted for its strong, sweet, dessert-like aroma. This lineage has contributed significantly to the "chocolate orchid" reputation and made it a favorite for both novice and experienced growers.

🌿 How to Grow Oncidium Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance' AM/AOS

Light: Provide bright, indirect light. A good indicator is foliage that is light green, neither dark green (too little light) nor yellow-green (too much light). An east-facing window or a shaded south or west window works well. Too much direct sun can scorch the thin foliage, while too little light will result in shy blooming.

Temps: This orchid prefers intermediate to warm temperatures. Daytime temperatures should be between 70 and 85 F, and night temperatures should not drop below 60 F. The difference between day and night temperatures, a minimum of 10 F, is beneficial to encourage robust flowering.

Water: Water generously when the potting medium is nearly dry. The pseudobulbs should remain plump; if they shrivel, it indicates the plant has been allowed to stay too dry for too long. During the active growth phase when new shoots and roots are developing, water more frequently. In the dormant or resting period following flowering, slightly reduce the watering frequency.

Humidity: High humidity levels of 50 to 70% are appreciated by this orchid. Insufficient humidity can lead to accordion-like pleats on the leaves of the new growth. To increase humidity, place the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water, ensuring the bottom of the pot is not submerged.

Fertilizer: Feed the plant with a balanced orchid fertilizer, such as a 20-20-20 formula, at half the recommended strength. During the spring and summer growing season, apply fertilizer every one to two weeks. Reduce or stop fertilizing during the winter rest period. Flush the pot with plain water once a month to prevent the buildup of salts.

Media: Due to its need for good drainage and air circulation around the roots, this orchid should be potted in a free-draining mix. Fine-grade orchid bark, or a mix containing bark, perlite, and a small amount of charcoal, is suitable. Repot when the medium begins to break down or when new growth is spilling over the edge of the pot, typically every one to two years.

Offered in 4" pots.