🇵🇪 Habitat and Ecology
Oncidium tigroides (formally Solenidiopsis tigroides) is a medium-sized, epiphytic orchid native to Peru. It is found growing on trees in tropical moist and wet forests and montane cloud forests, typically at elevations between 600 and 2,000 metres. This orchid is adapted to a cool to intermediate growing regime with high humidity and good air movement, which are characteristic of its high-altitude habitat.
🌸 Description and Distinguishing Features
This orchid is a sympodial perennial that forms small, dense clumps. The name tigroides (tiger-like) refers to its striking spotting.
 * Pseudobulbs & Foliage: It produces oblong-ovoid, compressed pseudobulbs (up to 5 cm long) that become ribbed with age. Each pseudobulb is topped by one or two leathery, elliptical leaves.
 * Flowers (Morphology): The plant produces an erect to arching spike (raceme) that emerges basally and can be up to 40 cm long, carrying many blooms. The flowers are relatively small (2-3 cm wide), typically blooming in winter and spring.
 * Aesthetics: The blooms are a striking combination of yellow or greenish-yellow, heavily and irregularly spotted with dark reddish-brown or chestnut. The sepals and petals are often slightly ruffled. The large lip (labellum) is typically a bright golden yellow with brown spotting, displaying the genus's characteristic broad lower lobe.
 * Ethnobotany: While there are no specific ethnobotanical records for O. tigroides, many Andean Oncidium relatives have been studied for their potential antioxidant properties and traditional uses in local tonics.
 * Differentiation: O. tigroides is distinct from other spotted species like O. crispum and O. varicosum. It is differentiated by its smaller, more compact pseudobulbs and the specific morphology and colour of the lip's crest (callus), which is typically unique for each species.
💧 Cultivation and Care
Oncidium tigroides is an intermediate to cool growing orchid that requires stable conditions and good air movement.
 * Light: Needs bright, filtered light. Ample light promotes strong pseudobulb development and flowering, but protect from harsh midday sun.
 * Substrate: Use an open, free-draining epiphytic mix of medium-grade bark, charcoal, and perlite.
 * Watering: Water regularly during the growing season, allowing the medium to dry almost completely between waterings. Reduce watering slightly in winter.
 * Temperature:
   * Optimal Daytime Temperature: 18-25 C
   * Optimal Nighttime Temperature: A cooling period is beneficial, ideally 12-16 C (54-61 F).
 * Humidity: Moderate to high humidity (55-75%) and good air circulation are necessary.
✨ Unique Features
This Peruvian orchid is prized for its intense, tiger-like spotting on the petals and sepals, making it highly decorative. Its compact growth habit and reliable bloom time in winter/spring make it a manageable and visually rewarding specimen for the intermediate grower.
🏷️ Specifications
Plant Size: Flowering sized plants on mounts as seen in the picture
Plant Family: Orchidaceae
Plant Passport: A Oncidium tigroides B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB