Laelia jongheana

[Franco24]

I've stumbled across a photo of this guy in my online orchid hunting travels and absolutely had to have it. It appears to be a species not very common - even Andy's orchids didn't have it -

I just recent got ahold of a small division that is need of some major TLC through eBay - which cost me an arm and a leg ... but, I had to have it! It's notorious for it's big flat (and fragrant?) flowers.

I was curious if anyone else here has heard of this species and/or grows it?

The picture below is a random one from Google so those of you who have not heard of it and admire the beauty:



What are your thoughts? Does anybody here have this beauty?

[Stray59]

Don'e have it - want one myself!!
What a great lip - love the coloring and the ruffle.
Thanks for posting!
Steve

[billc]

What a beautiful throat and lip.

Bill

[silken]

Sorry, I can't help. Someone sure has a lovely one based on that photo! I do have a primary hybrid with it as a parent but I have only had it since Sept. It is Lc. Jonghewar which is jongheana x warneri. According to OrchidWiz and how I am growing mine, it is an intermediate to cool grower requiring 3500 to 4000 fc of light. It requires good moving air and they have a 2 to 3 month drier season in winter.

I bought mine potted in lava rock and bark and it seemed vigorous but a few months later I noticed it had some root rot so I re-potted it into med. bark. It needs lots of water while growing but needs to dry out quickly.

Sorry, that's all I can offer and mostly from OW, not my experience. I grow my hybrid in the greenhouse where it is 65F in the day and 55F at night under T5 lights.

[tucker85]

I would love to get one of those. That basket looks like others I've seen in pictures from Brazil. I wouldn't be surprised if that's where the picture was taken. Good luck with your division.

[Franco24]

Thank you all for the replies. Ill post a picture of my plant up later this evening. It's got 3 growths and one new leaf, and minimal roots. I gave it a super thrive soak and potted it in straight Leca - if it doesn't take to well to this, ill probably pull it out and mount it ... Though I feel confident as it has two new leads just initiating and a couple new roots.

I've recently got into some of the rarer species Cattleyas (got my hands on warscewiczii, walkeriana coerulea, dowiana v. rosita, and the like) with the intent of making selfings and crosses down the line in a few years. Once this gets established, maybe I could swap a division or two with a couple of you here. That is if I can keep it alive!

I must say - I'm quickly falling in love - this might take the spot of my favorite in the Cattleya alliance; or perhaps a close second to Sophronitis coccinea ...

[silken]

Originally Posted by Franco24

Once this gets established, maybe I could swap a division or two with a couple of you here. That is if I can keep it alive!

I must say - I'm quickly falling in love - this might take the spot of my favorite in the Cattleya alliance; or perhaps a close second to Sophronitis coccinea ...

Good luck and I hope it thrives. It's nice to see you trying to get it to multiply in the future. They seem uncommon in cultivation and OW says it is rare in its natural habitat.

[Ferns Daddy]

I want one, but I've spent my orchid money for the month,I'll just have to wait

[Franco24]

Originally Posted by silken

Good luck and I hope it thrives. It's nice to see you trying to get it to multiply in the future. They seem uncommon in cultivation and OW says it is rare in its natural habitat.

I hear there is an alba variety out there too - which I'd love to get my hands on. I can try to dig up that photo if you all would like me too? Though I think I'm lucky enough to have this guy.

There is currently a plant similar to mine listed on eBay ending in a day or so. The auction is currently at about 40$ - though the plant appears to be in poor shape as well. I'm half tempted to bid but my checking account is depleted after this and a couple other orchid purchases.

It seems as if a couple of sellers got their hands on a specimen plant or two imported from Brazil, cut it to pieces and are selling the divisions. I'm led to believe this because i've seen an influx of other rare Brazilian native species on the market lately such as Sophronitis wittigiana and psychopsiella limminghei. I could be wrong though ...

[silken]

I'd like to see the alba one.