Laelia (Schomburgkia) superbiens alba

[Jeff214]

Here is the first blooming on a division of Laelia superbiens alba. I grow this outside here in San Diego, full sun. Seems fine in all the elements, from mid 30s to >100oF heat.

It grew new leads in the summer, and began to spike last fall. Slowly... it grew all winter and the buds are finally opening now. IOSPE mentioned it blooms in the fall and winter... which is when it started to spike, anyway. Not sure if this is superbiens? Pretty anyway.

My notes:


The photos below are about 1-2 days apart. Yes, I was really excited to see it bloom haha.
























Apparently it kills bees...

[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.

[Roberta]

I think the cool fall, wet winter, and cool spring have changed the "schedule" of a lot of things. I have lots of plants blooming much later than they have in years past.(I note blooming in my database so for some plants have records going back a lot of years) I'll take flowers whenever they show up!

[smweaver]

Great-looking spike of blooms. And I do like all of the photos showing the progression of the spike and flower development. I have the standard (lavender?) variety of this species, along with two of its hybrids that I got from SBOE a few years ago. I like them, but they all refuse to remain in their pots; it's like watching a building be erected with each new growth extending a good four to six inches above the previous one. Kind of frustrating for me since the plants need (for practical purposes) to stay in their pots! Congratulations on the wonderful blooms of your alba. I like them a lot.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by smweaver

Great-looking spike of blooms. And I do like all of the photos showing the progression of the spike and flower development. I have the standard (lavender?) variety of this species, along with two of its hybrids that I got from SBOE a few years ago. I like them, but they all refuse to remain in their pots; it's like watching a building be erected with each new growth extending a good four to six inches above the previous one. Kind of frustrating for me since the plants need (for practical purposes) to stay in their pots! Congratulations on the wonderful blooms of your alba. I like them a lot.

Good luck... these definitely don't stay in their pots or baskets. L. anceps does the same. They are escape artists.