Evaluation of Oncidium Intergenerics As Potential Cut Flowers

Oncidium intergenerics are popular potted flowering plants with showy flowers and diverse color variations. Despite the huge availability of intergeneric hybrids, only a few varieties of Oncidiums have been used as cut flowers. The objective of this study was to evaluate Oncidium intergenerics as potential new cut flowers. Propagules of twenty Oncidium intergenerics were obtained from a commercial orchid nursery, and were placed in a greenhouse under 40% shade. Plants were arranged in a completely randomized design with 6 plants per cultivar, and fertigated twice a week with alternating overhead irrigation. Length of flower spike, number of flower spike per plant, number of flowers per spike, and longevity of each flower spike was recorded. Among the tested varieties, Rehfieldara (Rfda.) Jerry ‘Pacific Empire’ produced the longest flower spike at length over 80 cm, while the spike length ranged from 50 to 70 cm in most of the cultivars including Oncidioda (Oncda.) Copper Scarab ‘Brass Brethren’, Odontocidium (Odcdm.) Mesmeric Melody ‘Mauna Loa’, Wilsonara (Wils.) Red Stars ‘Rooster’, and Brassidium (Brsdm.) Golden Gamine ‘White Knight’, Oncidioda (Oncda.) Copper Scarab ‘Brass Brethren’ and Odontocidium (Odcdm.) Mesmeric Melody ‘Mauna Loa’ were particularly floriferous and displayed more than twice number of flowers per spike compared to other cultivars because of higher number of sprays on the spike, and produced more flower spikes per plant. Longevity of flower spike varied among cultivars, and Oncda. Copper Scarab ‘Brass Brethren’, and Odcdm. Mesmeric Melody ‘Mauna Loa’ showed greater longevity compared to other tested cultivars. Taken together, Oncda. Copper Scarab ‘Brass Brethren’ and Oddcdm. Mesmeric Melody ‘Mauna Loa’ appeared to be promising cultivars as cut flower crops.