Ons. Volcano Midnight 'Volcano Queen'

Oncidopsis Volcano Midnight is a hybrid that truly lives up to its name, capturing the dramatic colors of a volcanic eruption, from cooling magma to glowing embers. While one famous clone, 'Volcano Queen' AM/AOS, was selected for its near-black, velvety flowers, the grex is renowned for producing a spectrum of fiery hues. Our plants are a perfect illustration of this, displaying vibrant orange blooms brushed with red and highlighted by a bright yellow-tipped lip.

This showy display is a direct result of its parentage: the dark Oncidopsis Black Beauty crossed with the sunset-toned Oncidium Pupukea Sunset. This genetic combination creates a lottery of color, and your crop has beautifully expressed the warm, radiant genes. The lineage is a fascinating journey through the mountains of Central and South America, with key ancestors including:

• Oncidium leucochilum: From the oak and pine forests of Mexico and Guatemala (4,000-7,500 ft.), contributing to the plant's structure and flower count.

• Oncidium maculatum: Native from Mexico to Nicaragua (2,000-6,500 ft.), this species adds spotting and color patterns to its descendants.

• Gomesa (Baptistonia) echinata: A unique Brazilian species from coastal forests that influences flower texture and form.

• Oncidium sotoanum (formerly O. ornithorhynchum): Famous for its sweet, chocolate-like fragrance, this species from the cool, moist forests of Mexico and Central America (3,000-5,000 ft.) may lend a subtle scent to the blooms.

The flowers themselves, measuring about 1.5 to 2 inches, are arranged artfully along an arching spike. In your plants, the combination of orange, red, and yellow creates a warm, energetic display that is just as captivating as its darker sibling. The broad, ruffled lip with its yellow tip serves as a brilliant focal point.

Botanically, Oncda. Volcano Midnight is a sympodial orchid. It grows from compact, ovoid pseudobulbs which support two to three slender, lance-shaped leaves that are typically 8-12 inches long. The plant has a tidy growth habit, making it a manageable size. The flower spikes emerge from the base of the most recently matured pseudobulb and can reach up to 24 inches, typically blooming in the fall and winter months.

Care Instructions

Light: Provide bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is ideal, offering gentle morning sun. Avoid direct midday or afternoon sun, which can burn the leaves.

Water: Water thoroughly, allowing the potting medium to approach dryness before watering again. This hybrid is sensitive to stale, waterlogged conditions. When in doubt, it is better to wait another day. Reduce watering slightly during the cooler winter months.

Temperature: This orchid prefers intermediate temperatures. Aim for daytime temperatures between 70-80°F and a nighttime temperature drop to 60-65°F. This diurnal temperature fluctuation helps initiate flowering.

Humidity: Maintain 50-70% humidity. If growing indoors in a dry environment, use a pebble tray filled with water or a humidifier to increase moisture in the air around the plant.

Potting Medium: Use a fine-grade, well-draining orchid mix. A combination of fir bark, charcoal, and perlite works well. Repot every one to two years, or when the potting medium begins to decompose and lose its drainage capacity.

Offered in 4" pots.