Laelia (Rupiculous) Orchids

[MattWoelfsen]

Early October 2013, I bought three Laelia orchids from a vendor on eBay. Due to the cold weather, it was too late to order anymore of these plants, until now. The three I acquired have slowly grown and survived my environment over the winter. So this experience emboldened me to get more Laelia Rupiculous orchids:


Laelia flava by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr


Laelia bradei by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr


Laelia sanguiloba by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr


Laelia alaorii by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr


Laelia crispata by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

The acquisition of these plants is a departure for my normal behavior of buying Neofinetia falcata. Like Neofinetia are smaller versions of the larger Vanda, these are the smaller variety of the Cattleya alliance, they don't require much space and they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. They do like bright light, breezy growing conditions, and to be drenched in water but allowed to dry quickly.

All of these photos are from the vendors. They note that these are photos of the plant I acquired.

[billc]

I hope yours look that nice.

Bill

[MattWoelfsen]

Hi Billc, the first plant, Laelia flava has arrived and it looks just like its picture. But a picture doesn't give you any idea of how small this plant is--the tallest growth is 3.5", one leaf is about 2".

I'm expecting the Laelia bradei to arrive today--it came from Seatle, WA. The last three are coming from Carlisle, PA and they probably won't arrive until mid-week, next week. With the exception of the Laelia flava, I have bought plants from these vendors before. I do not like to buy a plant on auction unless it says it is a picture of the plant that I am bidding on. If you do not have a picture of the plant you are getting, you have no ability to hold the vendor accountable for a less than expected plant.

[Subrosa]

Nice plants! I got an alaorii myself last fall that has just started really taking off. Lots of roots and new growths. I currently have it mounted above one of my aquariums, but I'm going to pot it up soon so it can go it outside for the summer. Although it's growing well now I'm concerned that it's not getting enough light to flower. If you're interested in other mini members of the alliance, look at the genera Leptotes and Neolauchea. I bought 5 L. bicolors at the same time as the alaorii, put them all in somewhat different conditions and all are doing very well. A really easy plant! Neolauchea is just a cool plant with a bizarre growth habit. I haven't had mine long enough to say how it's doing.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Nice plants! ...If you're interested in other mini members of the alliance, look at the genera Leptotes and Neolauchea. I bought 5 L. bicolors at the same time as the alaorii, put them all in somewhat different conditions and all are doing very well. A really easy plant! Neolauchea is just a cool plant with a bizarre growth habit. I haven't had mine long enough to say how it's doing.

Hi Subrosa, BTW, are you going to SEPOS?

Thank you for looking. I am interested in acquiring the Leptotes bi-color. Andy's Orchids is running a special on this plant plus three others that they are calling "the beginners bundle". In addition to the Leptotes, they are including a Brassavola nodossa, and two Dendrobium--prenticei and tanii. Orchidboard folk have posted pictures of the Neolauchea with its amazing growth habit, that's on my list too!

[isurus79]

Looks good! Just remember that alalorii is not rupiculous and likes wetter conditions that the rupi Laelias.

[plumania]

Nice plants.Hope they grow well for you.
I want to try rupiculous laelia too but not sure how well they will do in South Florida. SBOE has some really nice Laelias.

[Subrosa]

Yes Matt, I am going to make it, just not sure which day.That beginner's bundle sounds great! My nodosa was the first orchid that I got to bloom that wasn't already in spike when I got it.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Looks good! Just remember that alalorii is not rupiculous and likes wetter conditions that the rupi Laelias.

Thanks for the heads up isurus79. It is a Laelia and not a Rupicolous. It is a smaller Catteleya, so it fits in my grow space.

[james mickelso]

I really like the rupis. They are so cool. They can take full sun here in SoCal. I have three. SWhich ones I don't know. The tags just said rupiculous laelias when I got them two years ago at the SDCOS. Here's the flower I just got on one.