Can new growths on Brazillian laelias take low temps?

[Jeff214]

I've been told that Brazillian laelias can take down to near freezing temps. I wonder if that still applies to newer growths? Most of my laelias (crispa, purpurata, lobata, tenebrosa and various hybrids) have recently started new growths. They seemed fine for a night down to 45 oF, even a hybrid with C. triumphans (which I think is a warm grower?).

[Roberta]

All of my Brazilian Laelis (crispa, purpurata, lobata and tenebrosa) and hybrids thereof have been living outside for years (and have certainly experienced cold winter nights) Tenebrosa might be marginal, the others no problem. Also a bunch of the Catt species, Brazilian and otherwise... C. labiata, C. intermedia, C. leopoldii (tigrrina), C. bicolor, C percivaliana (which is blooming), C. mossiae, C. trianae, C. schroederiae, Rhycholaelia digbiana and glauca, etc. (and an assortment of hybrids), the same. So even if there are also warm-growers in the background of hybrids, if the majority (50-60% or more) are these tolerant ones, should be no problem. The only pampering they get is overhead polycarbonate, to protect from cold night rain (which of course means that I have to remember to water them if it does occasionally rain)

The only problem I can recall ever having was a Rl. glauca with a bunch of new growths, that was hanging at the edge of a shade-cloth area (before my current setup) during the "great freeze" of 2006-2007 when we had almost of week of nights with frost or near-frost. I did lose that one plant. But no others... I have a lot more variety now, but definitely did have L. purpurata and L. lobata at that time, may have also had L. crispa.

[Orchidtinkerer]

that's interesting Roberta, most of those I knew could handle some cold but you have confirmed they can handle more than I thought although I take it they have to be very dry for such temps.
The labiata and digbyana do suprise me though - they can handle the same as all the others?
The Rl Glauca is my coolest grower out of the lot, also a surprise that yours died during the cold

[Roberta]

When I lost that Rl. glauce, it was the coldest night that I have ever had... (zero C/32 deg F) or maybe even a bit below - and for more hours than cold usually lasts. I had also just moved into my house, and hadn't yet figured out all the subtleties. I think the cold air rolled off the edge of the shadecloth patio cover and hit the plant dead on. I have since gotten smarter, and also have not seen that much cold since. (And now, I am more ready for it... for a start, a more robust heater in the greenhouse)

C. labiata surprised me too, I had always thought of it as a warm grower. But at one of my orchid club meetings, Steve Champlain of Floralia was the speaker, and he's the one who told me that in Brazil, C. labiata does experience cold in its habitat. His advice was spot-on. Also, he grew up in southern California (and worked for a major nursery in Santa Barbara, Stewart's) before he married into the family that owns Floralia and moved to Brazil. So, a unique perspective to know the climates in both areas.

Rl. digbyana seems to do fine. under the same conditions. My normal winter low temperatures are more like the low to mid 40's F (5-8 deg C), when it's colder, usually not for too many hours, and day temps are usually around 65-68 deg F (17-20 deg C). Watering happens only in the morning (and most of the Catts are in wood or plastic baskets rather than pots, so dry fast) I have clear polycarbonate over most of the area so they don't get rained on. Also, I use Aluminet (aluminized mylar) shadecloth - not only does it reflect heat away from the plants in summer, it also reflects the heat from the ground back into the growing area. Probably only a degree or two, but that can be the difference between survival and disaster.

[Fairorchids]

My tenant reports, that in his old greenhouse, they had a freeze which killed 90% of the plants.

Their Laelia anceps died, but most of the C. (L.) purpuratas lived.

[Jeff214]

Thanks Roberta, for your insights!

Beyond obvious ones like C. dowiana and Gramms (which show its displeasure quite quickly below 60-55 oF...), it's been trial and error, especially for hybrids. I was concerned about new growths, like your Rl. glauca, which do need to be watered more frequently. I'm not too worried about my catts since they have mostly finished their growths / spiking now. My laelias... have decided to push growths now. I'm not sure if that is normal or if I should have withheld fertilizer (which I give freely). I'm worried about my L. Glenarun (C. Triumphans x L. tenebrosa) which sounds to me more of a warm grower. I had trouble growing laelias indoors and I'd like to keep them outdoors if possible (where they have fared better) We shall see!

Some Catts like jenmanii and schroederae have been fine outside unlike lueddemanniana. I have brought in most of my bifoliates, besides hybrids that have anceps in its lineage. An epicatarthron, which has all? warm growers in its lineage seem surprisingly fine in cold weather, pushing out many new growths. On the opposite end, my miltoniopsis hybrid was fine up to a week of 110 F but certainly enjoying the cool weather more.

[Roberta]

This is prime growing time and rooting time for a bunch of Laelias. So keep on fertilizing. I cut watering back as the weather cools, just because things don't dry out as fast. If a cold snap is forecast, don't water... if they go a week without water it won't hurt. A dry plant will tolerate cold a lot better than a wet one. The Rl. glauca that I lost in the unusally-extreme cold was, I think a fluke, being in the wrong place at the wrong time... everything that was under the shade cloth survived fine, that one was in a place where it was exposed.

Lc. Glenarun should probably be brought inside... L. tenebrosa for me seems to be the least cold-tolerant of the group, and the C. Triumphans parent has a lot of C. dowiana in it, so that one likely is on the fragile side.