Newbie--Laelia Anceps Guererro In-Bud

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Because I'm trying to find one of the Laelias to grow outside. My main issue in those conditions are low temps so I'm always wanting to know how low they can tolerate.

I have had less success with L. anceps var. guerrero than other L. anceps - I think this one also needs a dry rest. But for L. anceps in general, I grow them outside (minimum temps occasionally close to freezing - 32 deg F, 0 deg C, though not for long) If your usual minimum is 2-3 deg C it should be fine. When dry, they can go even lower for a few hours without damage (29 deg F, -2 deg C). They can also take high temps ( 40 deg. C, 100+ deg F) with no problem - and very little shading. I grow mine in nearly full sun, all day in the summer. They grow beautifully. I have found that they do best either mounted or in basket with very little medium, so they're also drought-tolerant. The same is true of close relatives L. gouldiana and L. autumnalis. If you are (mostly) frost free, outside for sure.

[SirCatofBloominCheshireC:]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Because I'm trying to find one of the Laelias to grow outside. My main issue in those conditions are low temps so I'm always wanting to know how low they can tolerate.

I'm sure some crosses are more hardy than others. There are a lot of Laelia Anceps crosses out there. From my research, this plant is one of the hardiest species of orchid, taking temps all the way down to just above freezing. You can't hope for any better than that I know a lot of people in cold climates like mine who leave hardier plants outdoors for as long as they can and then bring them in when the frost starts. And this species can tolerate short periods of light frost without dying. I read that infection and rot become bigger problems at lower temps also if grown indoors. So I have a special regimen for my orchids after my 4 years of growing.

[Roberta]

A dry orchid can put up with more cold than a wet one... So if you can keep L. anceps dry, it can go a bit below freezing for a short time and shrug off the insult. The species is really, really durable, and imparts that lovely feature to its hybrids as well. I think it is even tougher than Cymbidiums, and that's saying a lot.

[SirCatofBloominCheshireC:]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I think it is even tougher than Cymbidiums, and that's saying a lot.

I don't know if its my toughest orchid yet. I have an Encyclia that could easily live in a desert cave, and a Phal that is as indestructible as a plastic plant. It never does much of anything one way or the other after 4 years of care.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by SirCatofBloominCheshireC:

I have an Encyclia that could easily live in a desert cave...

Which Encyclia?

[rbarata]

My friends, your words are giving me lots of hope.

But for L. anceps in general, I grow them outside (minimum temps occasionally close to freezing - 32 deg F, 0 deg C, though not for long) If your usual minimum is 2-3 deg C it should be fine. When dry, they can go even lower for a few hours without damage (29 deg F, -2 deg C). They can also take high temps ( 40 deg. C, 100+ deg F) with no problem - and very little shading. I grow mine in nearly full sun, all day in the summer. They grow beautifully.

Roberta, from your description it seems you live here. That's exactly like that my weather year round.

The problem is that I can't find anceps here for sale.
I can get easily the one bellow. Any of them are suitable for my climate?

Laelia bahiensis
Laelia crispilabia
Laelia macrobulbosa
Laelia purpurata semi alba x gracicata
Laelia rupestris
Laelia schmidtii

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Roberta, from your description it seems you live here. That's exactly like that my weather year round.

The problem is that I can't find anceps here for sale.
I can get easily the one bellow. Any of them are suitable for my climate?

Laelia bahiensis
Laelia crispilabia
Laelia macrobulbosa
Laelia purpurata semi alba x gracicata
Laelia rupestris
Laelia schmidtii

Laelia purpurata (and its hybrids) should grow well for you - I have quite a few L. purpuratas growing outside. Big and beautiful. "Laelia" schmidtii is actually Encyclia schmidtii... synonym Encyclia argentinensis - should do very well for you, it's local!

The others are rupiculous (rock-growing) Laelias that should do well for you - I don't have those particular ones, but do have several others of that type (there are quite a few) They're little, but very hardy with brilliant colors. On the rupiculous Laelias the secret is in the potting... I use a layer of gravel (0.5 cm, 1/4" or so), a very thin layer of sphaghnum, a layer of loose potting soil (maybe 1 cm or 1/2"), then fill to the top with gravel (terra cotta pot is best) This mimics their environment where they root into cracks of rocks where they find a bit of organic material. (The sphagnum just serves to keep the soil from washing out of the pot)

[rbarata]

Mr. Cato... or should I say SirCato?
Sorry for hijacking your thread.

Roberta, my actual, still under study, is to grow a rupiculous Laelia outside but mount it on a rock.
Probably very difficult but I'm thinking about it.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Roberta, my actual, still under study, is to grow a rupiculous Laelia outside but mount it on a rock.
Probably very difficult but I'm thinking about it.

Your climate outside will be fine. However, remember that they root in the cracks of rocks, where the roots find moisture, shade, and a bit of organic material. Some roots may then adhere to the surface of the rock, but only after they have been established in the cracks. So creating a good environment on the surface of the rocks will be hard to achieve. If you have rocks with cracks into which you can add some soil around at least some of the roots, then you will be close to the environment that they need.

[rbarata]

If you have rocks with cracks into which you can add some soil around at least some of the roots, then you will be close to the environment that they need.

I've been searching for photos of plants in their environment and I already have an idea on how they grow. That's a project, or better, not a project...still an idea.
The right stone is paramount. I'll try to find on which kind of stones they grow. In some photos it seems granite.