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.

[nikkik]

Wow, very pretty and delicate looking. With all your recent posts and gorgeous pics, I'm becoming very envious of your collection, as it appears, we have similar tastes in orchids! Great growing! And thanks for all the detailed post on how you grow your plants.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by nikkik

Wow, very pretty and delicate looking. With all your recent posts and gorgeous pics, I'm becoming very envious of your collection, as it appears, we have similar tastes in orchids! Great growing! And thanks for all the detailed post on how you grow your plants.

Thanks for your encouraging words, nikkik!

give yourself and your plants time....you too will have gorgeous blooms....
just keep on reading the postings of the other senior members and their wisdom will rub off unto you.
my taste in orchids is inherited from other members giving me part of their collection. I have now quite an eclectic collection of orchids in my list.

[Ghosthunt64]

For some reason I love small flowers, and this would be pretty at any size. The red flush around the leaves is also fascinating. I think I have another for the wishlist...

[euplusia]

Very nice plant and flower. Thanks also for the detailed description of growing conditions.
A friend once told me that in growing orchids we should not try to copy the nature but match the wants and needs of the plant.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Ghosthunt64

For some reason I love small flowers, and this would be pretty at any size. The red flush around the leaves is also fascinating. I think I have another for the wishlist...

Thank You !

---------- Post added at 06:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:59 PM ----------

Originally Posted by euplusia

Very nice plant and flower. Thanks also for the detailed description of growing conditions.
A friend once told me that in growing orchids we should not try to copy the nature but match the wants and needs of the plant.

Thank You !

you are right, we cannot provide the natural habitat for the plant but we can always mimic it in our own environment

[Ghosthunt64]

Originally Posted by Bud

Thank You !

You're welcome.

[tucker85]

Very nice! Good growing.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by tucker85

Very nice! Good growing.

Thank You, Jeff!

[WhiteRabbit]

Charming flower and plant!