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The Oncidium Section Stellata
Containing the desirable maculatum, this Section comprises 13 species. The pseudobulbs on these plants m conspicuous, leaf bearing,
clustered or close together. The flowers have petals and sepals which are spread out in one Plane, giving the appearance
of a five-pointed star, hence the sectional name. The column of the flower is smooth.2
The species included are aurarium, clowesii,
hastatum, karwinskii, maculatum, oliganthum, oviedomotae, reichenheimii, sawyers, schroderanum, stelligerum, subcruciforme, and trilobum. 2
Moir 8
considers there are two divisions to this Section, including the following species:
(a) 'Northern' Stellata type - hastatum,
leucochilum (included in Oblongata by Garay and Stacy 2) maculatum, and stelligerum.
(b) 'Southern' Stellata type species he includes are powellii (Section Planilabria of Garay and Stacy 2) and stenotis (Planifolia
Section).
Moir 8 states he has had some fine results with hastatum.
He believes both types of Stellata oncidiums are valuable, carrying good
floriferousness and good spikes. The Southern Stellata have broader flowers and in breeding add broader shape,
but in his experience the northern species produce a better display of flowers.
Oncidium hastatum
The most important species is maculatum, described as 'neat and pleasing'. It is a plant of free and compact growth, producing
its flowers during the winter and spring months. 7
Extremely variable in all parts, it produces tightly clustered furrowed pseudobulbs 75 to 125 mm long. The usually
paired leaves are 175 to 250 mm long, rather leathery in texture. The flower spike is some 450 mm long, rather
densely many flowered. Individual flowers are some 50 mm in diameter, long lasting, glossy, the sepals and petals
usually yellow-green to yellow, more or less heavily blotched with dark chestnut-brown. The lip is white and yellow
in colour. It is a native of Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras and has been in cultivation since 1836.6 This species utilised in hybridising. Carpenter 31 reporting this is one of the best species for imparting
heat tolerance in odontoglossum intergeneric hybrids. It also gives good spikes and excellent substance but is
what dominant for smaller flower size and shape.
One. hastatum has 35 mm flowers
which are "starry" in outline. The sepals and petals are yellowish-green, thickly barred with brown.
The lip has whitish side lobes, the mid lobe claret-red tipped yellowish-green. Scapes are s 9arsely branched,
1 to 1.6 metres long. A number of named distinct forms are listed.
The species range from Mexico through Central America to Bolivia. They are listed
6 as intermediate growing. They like
full light conditions and little winter resting. Give good air movement.
* ONCIDIUM SLIDE SHOW *
A SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF ONCIDIUM ORCHIDS- click
on above link
A schedule of flowering times for the Crispa Section oncidiums is available on the follwing link
Crispa Section flowering times
Remember,
growing orchids is all about enjoying your plants
and sharing your growing success with friends and family.
Good luck and good growing.
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