Laelia (Schomburgkia) superbiens alba

[Roberta]

Looks like L. superbiens alba to me! I have also had bees commit suicide by squeezing into L. anceps and not be able to get out.

Maybe I'll try toasting mine... I have several L. superbiens tipo, that bloom fine in an area with filtered sun to bright shade, but the alba just keeps getting bigger without a sign of a flower in the same area. So maybe being not so gentle will do the job. Not much to lose... My typical forms usually bloom in November/December but last couple of years it was more like March/April. Weird weather patterns.

[PuiPuiMolcar]

Wow they're pretty!

Originally Posted by Roberta

Maybe I'll try toasting mine... I have several L. superbiens tipo, that bloom fine in an area with filtered sun to bright shade, but the alba just keeps getting bigger without a sign of a flower in the same area.

Same! two of my Laelia have 3 fat bulbs but not a single bloom. I'm getting quite annoyed because I was expecting a show this whole year.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by PuiPuiMolcar

Wow they're pretty!


Same! two of my Laelia have 3 fat bulbs but not a single bloom. I'm getting quite annoyed because I was expecting a show this whole year.

3 pseudobulbs is still a young plant. Patience! And especially if it's L. anceps. L. anceps definitely needs full sun. L. superbiens, I have found, tend to like it a little less harsh... though my alba is going to get treated a bit rougher to see if I can get some action from it - it is quite large, escaped its basket some years ago. Too large to be unproductive.

[Jeff214]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Looks like L. superbiens alba to me! I have also had bees commit suicide by squeezing into L. anceps and not be able to get out.

Maybe I'll try toasting mine... I have several L. superbiens tipo, that bloom fine in an area with filtered sun to bright shade, but the alba just keeps getting bigger without a sign of a flower in the same area. So maybe being not so gentle will do the job. Not much to lose... My typical forms usually bloom in November/December but last couple of years it was more like March/April. Weird weather patterns.

I toast all my laelias since I don't have a good set up to have them better shaded. The leaves don't look attractive, admittedly, but they bloom well with little care.

I wonder if it's been too cool. The spike was growing pretty fast till Nov. Then it stopped till this spring when the temperatures grew warmer again.