Laelia reginae

[Bud]

Laelia reginae is a rupicolous species orchid (rock plant) that is native to Brazil. It is an easy to grow miniature (that only gets 2 to 4 inches tall); as long as it meets all the requirements and proper culture. The light blush pink blooms with yellow lips come out from new growths, and are held just over the leaves. It has cute, very small flowers (5/8" wide). The growths of my plant are only 2.5" tall. This is a true to its form "micro-orchid"; quite a very lovely compact species. This plant started blooming for me last year and last month the tallest growth have just bloomed and still has the old spike = I didn’t even notice the blooming because it’s too tiny. The new short growth is the one in bloom right now. I repotted it in aircone pot to allow better air circulation to the roots, which is highly beneficial to rupicolous Laelias, but also allow me to monitor the health of the roots. I grow this on the bright side on the south facing window sill.
In nature these plants can go for months with no water other than morning dew from the clouds rolling down the mountains, in cultivation they need an ample supply of water. I do not want to make the mistake of treating this Laelia as xerophytes. In the warmer growing months, I water my plant two or three times a week since my apartment is dry indoors in the summer. In winter I just water this once a week since my apartment heater blasts hot steam all over the place.
I go easy on fertilizer for this kind of orchids because they tend to burn the roots which are very sensitive so I carefully repot and never disturb them. I have to flush it once a month to remove fertilizer build-up. This group of orchids is adaptable to a wide range of temperature and humidity and this is happily growing in the same conditions as the rest of my Cattleyas and Oncidiums. I don’t know if a significant ‘day–night’ temperature differential (like my Phals and Cyms) may produce flowers more reliably because I am just trying that method just recently.