L. lundii ... happy dance time

[plumania]

Yes ,I read this one already but one artivle is somehow just not enough. I need people experience part too.

[trdyl]

Originally Posted by plumania

It is a very pretty flower. What kind of media and how much light/ water does it get? I am trying to figure out if rupicolous laelias will grow outdoors in rainy,hot and humid south Florida.

I'm growing mine in semi-hydro with PrimeAgra in a shallow cup. It stays in a drafty south facing windowsill with light in the upper end for Cattleyas 5,000 to 6,000 ftc during winter. I do let it dry out between waterings in the winter. Hope this helps.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by plumania

What kind of media and how much light/ water does it get? I am trying to figure out if rupicolous laelias will grow outdoors in rainy,hot and humid south Florida.

Would you believe it's in what appears to be a 50/50 mix of med grade bark and chc? It gets watered weekly usually.

For those who might be picking their jaws up off the floor with part of their brain protesting that this should not work, the friend who gave me this division started off about 3yrs ago (if memory serves) with a pot about the size of the one he gave me. He now has 3 or 4 pots worth minus the one he gave me. He grows most of his plants in a small detacted greenhouse.

[Orchidgirl83]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[naoki]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Here is a very good summary. Also, there is a member, TommyMiami who lives in north Miami that grows these plants. I hope he sees this thread and can provide his culture tips.

How to Grow Rupicolous Laelias

Hmmm, Matt, I thought L. lundii isn't the typical rupicolous Laelia (Cattleya). Taxonomically, it is a bit far away from the other rupics, and also L. lundii is more of epiphyte. I may be wrong because I'm still learning about this group, and there aren't lots of info. Here is some interesting habitat info:
Brazilian Oechids - Orchid News #31

With taxonomic info, here is some interesting info (it may be a bit outdated): Phil's Orchid World - The Cattleya Alliance Culture - additional information on LAELIAS
Most typical rupics are in section Parviflorae, L. lundii is in section Microlaelia.

Very nice plant, Paul!

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Beautifully grown. Thanks for sharing/

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by naoki

Hmmm, Matt, I thought L. lundii isn't the typical rupicolous Laelia (Cattleya). Taxonomically, it is a bit far away from the other rupics, and also L. lundii is more of epiphyte. I may be wrong because I'm still learning about this group, and there aren't lots of info. Here is some interesting habitat info:

Brazilian Oechids - Orchid News #31



With taxonomic info, here is some interesting info (it may be a bit outdated): Phil's Orchid World - The Cattleya Alliance Culture - additional information on LAELIAS

Most typical rupics are in section Parviflorae, L. lundii is in section Microlaelia.



Very nice plant, Paul!

Hi naoki, the first link didn't work. But the second link did work. That one adds more information of this particular group of orchids to my reference library. As far as L. lindii goes, I am not an expert on taxonomy and cannot add new information on classification. Ironically I only have three of these so classified rupicolous Laelia, this lundii, gracilis, and ghilanyi. The latter two have no resemblance to the lundii. The vendor from whom these were purchased categorized all three together as rupicolous Laelia. So I'll put the blame on the vendor!

I should add...I would enjoy owning more of these rupicolous/Brazilian Laelia--if I can acquire them. Their diminutive size, easy care, fragrant flower, and unusual leaf forms are attractive. My grow space limits me from growing larger Cattleya. I can grow these three plants in the space one Cattleya requires.

[naoki]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Hi naoki, the first link didn't work.

Matt, The first link seems to work for me (both at home and at work). You can google "Brazillian Orchid News", and the first hit. Issue 31 has the info.

Also, issue #17 has some info about the phylogeny of the group. Orchid News # 17
I didn't look up the original articles, but it looks like that the support for the phylogeny (both Fig. 1&2) seems to be pretty weak. It is still interesting, though.

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

I should add...I would enjoy owning more of these rupicolous/Brazilian Laelia--if I can acquire them. Their diminutive size, easy care, fragrant flower, and unusual leaf forms are attractive. My grow space limits me from growing larger Cattleya. I can grow these three plants in the space one Cattleya requires.

I agree that this group is great for small area. My thick leaved rupics haven't flowered, so intensity of light could be an issue for some of us with artificial light. Floralia and Bela Vista are great source for these. They come to the US for Redland Show, and they can ship them within the US.

[MattWoelfsen]

Orchid news #17 is very informative. Thank you! I was able to find and read #31. With all this information, I can see how complicated it is to define these plants into specific types or groups based on a lot of specific data. I'm familiar with the two vendors floral is and Bela Vista, thanks for confirming these two as good resources.