Laelia (Rupiculous) Orchids - Page 5 - Orchid Board

MattWoelfsen · #41 05-13-2014, 08:28 PM

Hello citywildcat, thank you for your kind words...I am still learning how to grow these Laelia. This past week I started to give them very weak fertilizer. This is their growing season. Like you, I'm finding these plants responding to increased water and food by growing more roots and pbulbs. I sense them growing the support structure now to bloom in late fall/early winter.

MattWoelfsen · #42 05-18-2014, 08:34 PM

Three more acquisitions of Laelia Rupiculous orchids from cschaz, an eBay vendor.

Laelia reginae has beautiful red leaves, tallest leaf measures 4"

Laelia reginae by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

Laelia rupestris has two leaves on one psuedobulb. Leaves are 3" tall. This plant is producing two little growths.

Laelia rupestris by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

Laelia lilliputiana is a really small plant. Two inches is the tallest psuedobulb.

Laelia lilliputiana by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

MattWoelfsen · #43 05-31-2014, 06:48 PM

Cattleya kerrii x kerrii 'Michael' AM/AOS

This is another orchid plant from the state of Bahia, Brasil. It has been posted before way back in 2009. It is not a Laelia rupicolous orchid--as far as I can find, but it does share the diminutive presentation of Laelia rupicolous--being small in stature. This has unusual leaf structure as these pictures show--it is unifoliate. And the pseudo-bulb is more stalk-like than other Cattleya. The longest leaf is 4" long. I acquired this plant from Tropical Orchid Farms from Hawaii. It is reported that this plant is no longer found in the wilds of Bahia.

Cattleya kerrii x kerrii 'Michael' AM/AOS by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

Orchidsoutdoors · #44 06-03-2014, 07:04 AM

I was expecting a lovely display from my rupicolous Laelias this year, but when I checked on them this weekend the flower spikes had all rotted. Every. Single. One. Not sure if it was this winter's warm, humid weather, but nothing for this year.

james mickelso · #45 06-03-2014, 11:51 AM

When my cattleya blooms have rotted, I think it is because they were kept too wet. Or water somehow got down into the sheaths. Orchids usually bloom during the dry season in the wild. In some environments that means no rain at all and in some just morning fogs. But every time mine rot it seems they were too wet.

MattWoelfsen · #46 06-03-2014, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orchidsoutdoors

I was expecting a lovely display from my rupicolous Laelias this year, but when I checked on them this weekend the flower spikes had all rotted. Every. Single. One. Not sure if it was this winter's warm, humid weather, but nothing for this year.

What a shame! You wait all year for these little flowers and then BAM! They blast on you. Sorry to read that about your plants. I hope your plants recover.

MattWoelfsen · #47 06-06-2014, 08:16 AM

All of these plants have been in transition inside my screened in porch. They are getting a good dose of eastern sunlight. But I think they would enjoy a summer in the sun. Any rupicolous owners growing your plant in full sun? If so, please advise. Thank you.

katrina · #48 06-06-2014, 08:31 AM

Yep...I have mine in full sun this year. They are under HO T5s in the winter and when I first moved them out I had them under 40% shade cloth for a week but I was opening and closing it so they didn't get too much too soon. After the first week...full on sun all afternoon long.

Many of these can be quite difficult to bloom and I've had my share of trouble. They grow well but I've yet to bloom many of them and after talking w/Andy (Andy's Orchids) and Francisco (Miranda Orchids)...they are getting direct sun all afternoon this year. I'll either bloom them or I'll burn them up trying. LOL! Good thing they are cute because they are a lot more difficult than any of my regular catts and laelia.

I find most catts to be the easist group to grow...but some of these rupics are definitely trying my patience.

james mickelso · #49 06-06-2014, 12:39 PM

Rupics take full sun and in their natural habitat grow on bare or nearly bare rock. They get a lot of calcium and manganese which leaches out of the rock. They are not heavy feeders though. They also dry quickly so make sure there is enough air movement for them to dry out after watering.

MattWoelfsen · #50 06-06-2014, 02:21 PM

Perfect! Thanks Katrina and James, I'll start moving them into the sun. All of these Rupiculous (except for the seedlings) are bloom size, and should set up for blooming by the end of November. I still find it hard to believe these itty bitty plants are bloom size.