Wils. Firecat 'Simple Pleasures'

The name Wilsonara Firecat tells you almost everything you need to know right up front. The flowers are a blaze of color, an intense, fiery orange-red that is simply impossible to ignore. This isn't a subtle plant; it's a vibrant spectacle that lights up any space. The intensity of its color is a gift from a small but mighty ancestor, Cochlioda noezliana. This little species, found clinging to scrub trees at breathtakingly high elevations in the Peruvian Andes, punches far above its weight, lending its brilliant scarlet-orange pigment to a whole lineage of famous hybrids.

Wilsonara is an intergeneric hybrid, a combination of Cochlioda, Odontoglossum, and Oncidium. The parentage of Firecat is a story written in the cool, moist cloud forests of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. On one side, you have large, star-shaped Odontoglossum species like Odm. triumphans and Odm. harryanum, which contribute size, substance, and intricate patterns. Then, that potent dose of Cochlioda is mixed in, painting over the patterns with a solid wash of incandescent color. The Oncidium influence helps shape the ruffled lip and encourages a tall, branching flower spike.

The 'Simple Pleasures' cultivar produces a profusion of flowers, each about 2-3 in. across. The color is a rich, saturated red-orange, like hot lava. The petals and sepals are broad, forming a full, star-like shape. The lip is often slightly darker in color and features a brilliant yellow crest right at the center, a striking contrast that draws the eye. These vivid blooms are beautifully arranged on a tall, often branching inflorescence that can hold a dozen or more flowers, creating a truly impressive display.

The plant itself is a tidy, sympodial grower. It forms smooth, ovoid, slightly flattened pseudobulbs that are clustered closely together on the rhizome. From the top of each pseudobulb, one or two long, bright green leaves emerge. The foliage is relatively thin and strap-like, typical of the Oncidium alliance.

Care Instructions

Light: Bright, indirect light is best. An east-facing window or a location with bright, filtered light for most of the day is ideal. Protect it from hot, direct summer sun.

Water: This orchid prefers to remain evenly moist. Water thoroughly just as the top inch of the medium begins to feel dry. It does not tolerate drying out completely, nor does it like to be waterlogged. Use high-quality water, like rainwater or reverse osmosis water, if possible.

Temperature: As its ancestry suggests, this is an intermediate to cool-growing orchid. It thrives with daytime temperatures of 68-78°F and requires a nighttime drop to 55-65°F to initiate blooming. It will not perform well in constant heat.

Humidity: Prefers humidity levels between 50-70%. Good air circulation is essential to prevent fungal or bacterial problems, especially in cooler, humid conditions.

Potting Medium: A fine-grade orchid mix that provides both moisture retention and good drainage is recommended. A mix of fine fir bark, perlite, and a bit of charcoal or sphagnum moss is suitable. Repot every one to two years before the medium breaks down.