Laelia marginata (former Schomburgkia crispa)

[Rosim_in_BR]

This is native of the northern countries of the South America, including the north of Brazil. The plant can be huge. It is a warm and light lover, but can be grown in intermediate temperatures (high light is essential though!).
This plant is widely known as Schomburgkia crispa. Recent DNA researches have demonstrated that it is actually a Laelia, strictu sensu (Mexican Laelias).

[isurus79]

That's a cool little Schombo/Laelia. Nice short spike too, must be nice!

[RosieC]

Wow, cool pics Mauro. What a great plant!

[peeweelovesbooks]

That's great!! How tall do they get? (I'm thinking of getting into schombs/laelias/whatever they are called now).

TFS!

[smweaver]

Mauro, those are beautiful! Are they fragrant?

I have a juvenile plant of this species (along with Schomburgkia rosea and schultzei) that gets warm/hot temperatures during the summer, followed by interemediate/cool temperatures during the winter "dry season." It (along with the other schomburgkias) must be a fairly adaptable and hardy plant, since the winter night temperatures in my growing area average between 12 and 13 C, and even drop down to 11 C on especially cold nights. None of the schomburgkias appear to be negatively affected by the lower temperatures--even though, apparently, I'm growing them at cooler-than-average temperatures compared to what they experience in their native habitats.

Your plant and blooms are outstanding. Hopefully mine will flower within the next year since it's been putting on a lot of growth over the last nine months.

Steve

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

That's great!! How tall do they get? (I'm thinking of getting into schombs/laelias/whatever they are called now).

TFS!

This species can get as tall as 1.8-2.0' when well grown!

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by smweaver

Mauro, those are beautiful! Are they fragrant?

I have a juvenile plant of this species (along with Schomburgkia rosea and schultzei) that gets warm/hot temperatures during the summer, followed by interemediate/cool temperatures during the winter "dry season." It (along with the other schomburgkias) must be a fairly adaptable and hardy plant, since the winter night temperatures in my growing area average between 12 and 13 C, and even drop down to 11 C on especially cold nights. None of the schomburgkias appear to be negatively affected by the lower temperatures--even though, apparently, I'm growing them at cooler-than-average temperatures compared to what they experience in their native habitats.

Your plant and blooms are outstanding. Hopefully mine will flower within the next year since it's been putting on a lot of growth over the last nine months.

Steve

Yes, Steve, this species is fragrant.
Apparently, your winter condition is similar to mine here. Maybe mine is a little cooler since temps at night during the winter can reach 2ºC for a few hours.
I believe you're not going to have trouble to grow them well!

[Stitzelweller]

Mauro, Congrats on your fine flowers and your excellent fotos!

I am curious what everyone thinks about the taxonomic classification. Do you think that the South American Schomburgkia should be classified with the Mexican Laelia? I don't understand the thinking.

--Stitz--