Laelia lobata cerulea 'Maria Christina'

[cbeule]

Have been growing this plant for several years and have been lead to believe that you will get it to bloom if you allow it to grow over the pot. Mine is now over the edge of an 8" pot. Supposidly stressing it by over-growth does the trick, as well as the abundance of light and lack of too much water. My plant MUST be ready to bloom if those are the needs! Any thoughts out there? What time of year does it usually bloom?

[cb977]

Hi cbeule

According to Orchidwiz, the reasoning behind the roots growing over the pot is to expose lots of roots to the air. It suggests they get maximum sunlight and very strong air movement. "Plants grown with enough light have pale yellow leaves and pseudobulbs"...the strong air current is to prevent burn. Air circulation should be strong at all times.

They bloom late spring - summer.

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What other orchids are you growing?

[cbeule]

Suzanne; All of the needs to have this plant bloom have been met. I grow in med. size diatomite with the plant hanging outside and in 3/4 sun. The leaves are appropriately yellow green and it gets lots of wind. I bloomed my Laelia tenebrosa this year for the first time (4 blooms) and it is in the same micro-climate. What seems to me to be the problem is that the plant is not sufficiently "grown up" for want of another metaphor. If that is the case, then next year will do the trick. I do have a different climate than you do in Florida! I seem to grow species Cats and other Cat intergenerics. Then Paphs, Phrags, Cymbidiums and Odonts. I keep trying new things to see what fits. Last winter it went down to 28 degrees, so I put some of my cool growers outside in the Winter and inside in the Summer. In all, I try to grow temp. tollerant plants of any species. Thanks for the hello. Good to meet you too.

[cb977]

Sounds like you're doing what it likes...let us now when it blooms

[Frdemetr]

Cbeule,

Keep in mind L. lobata in nature is strict lithophytic, and lives at sea level, virtually under full sun. Even in Brazil (700m above sea level) I have problems to bloom lobatas, they have to grow more than a 'critical size' (~5/6 years) before blooming. Some friends are trying a few drops of iodine in the water, to simulate the sea breeze! I never used this! I'm using organic plant food ('bokashi', japanese powdered fish mixed with this kind of smelly stuff) and I think is iodine enough there. I use regular foliar fertilization too (Peter's 20-20-20, 0.5 to 1.0g per liter weekly or alernate weeks)
Good luck with your lusty brazilian beauty!