So I picked up two of these for my birthday two years ago now. The first year I had … nothing. The second year I had one long beautiful shoot 5 to 6 feet long on one plant. I was very happy about the bloom but was concerned for the second plant not producing thinking maybe one location was better than the other. This year now I was blessed with three shoots. The shoots take two to three months to grow to full length and another month to start blooming. It’s definitely a highly anticipated bloom once they come. They last about a month as well. I was excited with the results and claim them for my negligent success.
The two types of orchids I picked up from this grower, Banjong Orchids in Homestead, have been a huge success. I’m itching for an opportunity to travel back down and pick up others 🙂 I highly recommend going there if you get the chance. The other one, the Indigo, is in bloom again as well. The Tropic Breeze plants are classified as Oncidiums. Here is a quick blurb about them from Google AI.
Oncidium Tropic Breeze ‘Everglades’ (correctly classified as an intergeneric hybrid under Wilsonara or Wilhelmara) is a highly celebrated, warmth-tolerant orchid hybrid famous for producing massive, cascading “dancing lady” floral displays. Originally registered in 1985 and bred by Milton Carpenter of Everglades Orchids, this specific ‘Everglades’ clone has earned a prestigious Highly Commended Certificate (HCC/AOS) from the American Orchid Society. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Appearance & Blooms
Massive Flower Spikes: A single mature pseudobulb can launch heavily branched flower spikes ranging from 4 to 9 feet tall.
- Dancing Lady Flowers: It can produce dozens to hundreds of flowers on a single inflorescence. The flowers are a striking combination of bronze-maroon petals paired with a bright yellow lip.
- Sweet Fragrance: The blooms emit a very noticeable, pleasing honeysuckle or subtle vanilla-like scent.
- Impressive Foliage: The plant develops huge pseudobulbs and long, thick green leaves, often likened to “an anthurium on steroids”.
Growth & Care Instructions
Unlike more finicky orchids, this hybrid is remarkably forgiving and robust. It thrives particularly well outdoors in mild winter or subtropical climates like South Florida. [1, 2, 3]
- Light: Requires bright indirect light to partial direct morning sun. Thicker leaves allow it to tolerate higher light intensities than other varieties. [1, 2]
- Temperature: Prefers intermediate to warm conditions. It tolerates daytime temperatures between 80°F and 95°F if provided with adequate air movement. [1, 2]
- Watering: Water thoroughly, but allow the potting medium to dry out at least halfway (or completely) before watering again. This typically means watering every 2 to 10 days depending on climate and pot size. [1, 2]
- Potting Media: Best grown in coarse, fast-draining media like coconut husk chips mixed with charcoal, or mounted on wooden slabs. [1, 2]
