How to Care for a Chocolate Orchid?

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Guess what this is: the smell and color of chocolate, but not chocolate? If you answered chocolate orchid, you are right. This exotic and amazing orchid variety is not only beautiful but also has a strong aroma. If you have ever had the chance to smell this plant, you definitely know why it got its name.

Want to learn more about the chocolate orchid and also how to care for it and plant it? Keep reading this article with us.

Origin and Meaning of the Chocolate Orchid

The chocolate orchid, also known by its scientific name Oncidium Sharry Baby, was created in 1983 in England by grower Dorothy O'Flaherty.

This is because this orchid variety does not occur naturally in the wild; it is considered a hybrid, the result of crossing other varieties, specifically Oncidium Jamie Sutton and Oncidium Honolulu.

How to Care for a Chocolate Orchid

Despite being an exotic variety, the chocolate orchid is one of the easiest to grow and is perfect for beginners in the world of orchids.

When caring for a chocolate orchid, two main points should be focused on: watering and lighting. Follow all the tips below:

Lighting and Temperature

To successfully grow a chocolate orchid, it needs good natural light. However, this does not mean it should be placed in direct sunlight. On the contrary, this orchid variety suffers from direct sun rays.

Therefore, the idea is to grow it near a window. The chocolate orchid prefers moderate climate conditions—neither too cold nor too hot. The optimal temperature for it ranges from 10°C to 18°C on average.

On very hot days, it's important to check air humidity levels since the plant does not thrive in dry environments. To keep a chocolate orchid beautiful and blooming, it should be grown at an air humidity level of around 40-60%. If the humidity is too low, use a humidifier to maintain proper conditions.

Watering

Another important need of the chocolate orchid is watering. Keep the substrate slightly moist. Too much water can cause root rot, while too little will stress the plant.

It's best to always check the moisture level of the substrate. If it is completely dry, water it; otherwise, wait a few days.

Fertilizing

The chocolate orchid requires regular fertilization. On average, every fifteen days. Both organic and chemical fertilizers such as NPK can be used. There are even special orchid fertilizers available in garden stores.

Important tip: it's better to fertilize in the morning or evening, avoiding the hottest parts of the day. With proper and regular feeding, a chocolate orchid can bloom more than once per year and keep its flowers beautiful and healthy for up to 45 days.

Pruning

It is important to perform preventive pruning on a chocolate orchid. Start by removing dried, wilted, and yellowing leaves. Also remove any dead roots to ensure greater health and vitality for the plant. Regarding flower stems, it's recommended to cut them after flowering ends. However, pay attention to the stem color.

If it has a brownish hue, this is a sign that it's already dead and will no longer produce flowers. But if the stem is still green, wait a bit—new blooms may appear. When pruning the stem, it's crucial to disinfect your pruners to avoid fungal and bacterial infections. This can be done by holding the scissors over a flame for several seconds or thoroughly wiping them with alcohol.

After disinfecting the pruners, cut the stem close to the root level.