Laelia liliputana - Orchid Board

ramp · #1 03-02-2015, 09:47 PM

Question?

I've been growing Laelia liliputana in a mix of bark and lava rock for over 2 years now and they are doing fine.

Now I was wondering if it would be possible to grow this species epiphytic on one of my large Ficus retusa bonsai?
They both grow under the same circumstances in my living room in winter and sheltered outside when warm enough in summer. Actually both the ficus and Laelia liliputana grow next to each other when indoors and get the same spraying and fertiliser.

Can someone give me some advice?

vjo · #2 03-02-2015, 10:30 PM

I am hoping that you get a lot of answers on this. I have one of those also and am having some problems with it. I grow mine in granite chips but it isn't thriving, maybe we will both learn something....Jean

Leafmite · #3 03-02-2015, 10:49 PM

Laelia liliputana is an orchid I'd really like to grow once of these days. So cute!
I have thought of doing this. There is a certain orchid that is commonly found on one of the little trees I grow. If I find the little orchid at one of the spring orchid shows, I plan to mount it directly on the tree.

camille1585 · #4 03-03-2015, 04:40 AM

I don't think I would mount it. Rupicolous Laelias are more at home in some stones than on wood mount. I think it would do mostly ok mounted, but probably not thrive. I've rarely, if ever, read about rupicolous Laelias being mounted. Though that's just my 2 cents since I only ever had one of these types of orchid.

DelawareJim · #5 03-03-2015, 09:24 AM

I wouldn't mount it. Rupicolous means "rock dwelling". They just are not adapted to epiphytic conditions. I grow all of my Rupicolous orchids in straight LECA or a LECA and bark mix.

Here's a link to them with some pictures in situ.
The Other Jewels of Minas Gerais - Brazil's rock-dwelling laelias

Cheers.
Jim

ramp · #6 03-03-2015, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DelawareJim

I wouldn't mount it. Rupicolous means "rock dwelling". They just are not adapted to epiphytic conditions. I grow all of my Rupicolous orchids in straight LECA or a LECA and bark mix.

Here's a link to them with some pictures in situ.
The Other Jewels of Minas Gerais - Brazil's rock-dwelling laelias

Cheers.
Jim

Thanks Jim, I read these pages before. Perhaps instead of the actual mounting on the plant I could try it on the rough rock surface the Ficus is growing on.
I have on L. pumila that needs reporting as it starts to grow over the pot it is in. Maybe i can take a piece of that one and give it a go?
Probably these need the minerals and not the acidity of the woud.
Please share your thoughts.
I don't want to ruin my precious little jewels.

bethmarie · #7 03-03-2015, 12:20 PM

I think even Andy's orchids, which mounts just about everything, had these potted. In any case, he'd be a great one to call and ask. He's wonderful about helping.

ramp · #8 03-05-2015, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethmarie

I think even Andy's orchids, which mounts just about everything, had these potted. In any case, he'd be a great one to call and ask. He's wonderful about helping.

Thanks BM,
But a phone call from Europe to the US is a bit expensive.
It was just a thought but I think I'm just going to re-pot in a nice new pot and let them grow on.
I think it was worth asking before I ruined my precious plants.

bethmarie · #9 03-05-2015, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramp

Thanks BM,
But a phone call from Europe to the US is a bit expensive.
It was just a thought but I think I'm just going to re-pot in a nice new pot and let them grow on.
I think it was woth asking before I ruined my precious plants.

Ha! I didn't see where you were located until now. I need to call Andy's about this same species. Mine is in pebbles and aliflor and not thriving. I'll ask him your question when I call. Just one more service the Orchid Board provides

DelawareJim · #10 03-06-2015, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramp

Thanks Jim, I read these pages before. Perhaps instead of the actual mounting on the plant I could try it on the rough rock surface the Ficus is growing on.
I have on L. pumila that needs reporting as it starts to grow over the pot it is in. Maybe i can take a piece of that one and give it a go?
Probably these need the minerals and not the acidity of the woud.
Please share your thoughts.
I don't want to ruin my precious little jewels.

I would suggest you just keep doing what you're currently doing since it's currently working for you.

For your L. pumila, You could always try a piece and see what happens. Being a small, Sophronitis sized "mini-Catt", you could always try a piece mounted on a cork slab.

Cheers.
Jim

---------- Post added at 08:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:54 AM ----------

I'd like to see a picture of the plant or flower if you could post one. I just googled it and it seems to be listed by several names; Laelia pumila, Cattleya pumila, and Sophronitis pumila. Either way, it looks like one I might have to add to my collection.

Cheers.
Jim