Laelia from Brazil

[Milda]

I am going to visit London Orchid Show in March. One of the vendors come from Brazil, and it seems like he has many interesting orchids at reasonable prices since dollars are really low at the moment.

I would love to try a couple of these rupicolus laelias, but I know they can be tricky. Can you recommend any of these on the list???? Are some of them easier than others? L crispilabia looks fabioulus, but also L fidelensis and L fournieri

Brazilian orchid species from Florália

I know that there are other vendors selling brazilian orchids, but I can't order directly from Brazil or USA.
Thank you

Milda

[cb977]

What a great opportunity!

I would go for the L fidelensis if you have any kind of space issues, it's compact...and gorgeous!

So many of them are beautiful!

[Magnus A]

Hmmm

I would say like this

L. purpurate resambles the large flowered Cattleya

L. fidelensis and praestans are smaller large flowered moisture loving spiecies that recuire cooler winter rest. Fidelensis somewhat larger than praestens i think.

The rest is the famous rupicolus Laelia that is so wonderfull! They are growing on rocks an need harch dry winter rest and ALOT of light. Can be tricky!

If I did not have any of these I would go for brigeri and praestens. To European standard they are all cheap, but remember that it is only those with F.S. that are mature to flower....

I also plan to go to RHS but there are some uncertainties.... Maybe we see each other there, would be fun.

/Magnus

[Dorothy]

Here is a thread with a number of excellent laelia links - http://www.orchidboard.com/community...aulescens.html

The only rupicolus laelia I have is a Laelia reginae and it's growing nicely .. I would recommend one

[Milda]

Can't get the temperature below 14 degrees C in winter, so I guess I have to choose some intermediate growing orchids....
L. purpurata is beautiful too, but it get quite large... On the other side, it flowers in summer. I saw a lot of them when I went to Madeira last summer.
Hej då

[Milda]

Thank you for posting that link, Dorothy. Amazing!!!!!! I think I have to get a cold room for Laelias...... I have to read through the link later, when nobody can disturb me! I like very much to see photos of orchids growing where they belong. If I were young and sporty, I would have gone on an orchid trip up in those mountains
I have been looking at photo and reading at this link. Have heard he is a good vendor, but I am not able to order from him.
Orchids of Brazil. Links

Thank you once more for the link.
If I don't buy, I can always dream - and that is completely free

Milda

[Frdemetr]

Milda,

First of all, "Floralia" is a good and reliable nursery, I'm sure you will buy healthy&happy plants.
L purpurata is our "Queen of Orchids", and is an easy grower, any of the varieties is beautiful, I love 'werkhaueseri' (coerulea). As Magnus stated, L fidelensis and praestans are moisture loving species, and they will tolerate lower temps (but not too low, of course!). Rupiculous Laelias are amongst my favourites (I posted L briegeri, L caulescens and L fournieri pics a few days ago) but....they are tricky, unfortunately! The roots rot easily, if the media retains much water. They need much light, almost direct sun (brazilian direct sun), and they don't tolerate cold, mostly wet cold. I'm seriously concerned if you could solve these problems in Norway, but you can try! In the "Floralia's" list, I guess L brigeri and L flava are the more resistant, 'cause they are bigger than rupiculous average size; L fournieri is the little one (in the list).
Have a nice trip!

[Dorothy]

You are very welcome
Yep .. dreaming .. it's a wonderful thing
and you are right .. it's free

[Djarum Black]

I cannot comment on these plants persay, but I wanted to mention that the vender "Floralia" is excellent!

I have done business with them many times. In fact to the point where they bring me extra plants that I am looking for. You don't know how refreshing that is! I understand that they travel a great deal from show to show, but to actually remember your customers in other areas, and keep them in mind! All I have to say is wow!

There was even one instance where they had brought me something very special, and a very large named nursery wanted to purchase it before I arrived. They even offered them more money, but Floralia told them NO! And he held it for me!
For a vendor to be that concerned that I track down exactly what I want amazes me!

[Milda]

Thank you all for posting! Glad that you are so satisfied with Floralia- I will tell him
I think it's a good idea to preorder, I have to go through the list one more time and decide what to buy. I am really looking foreward to the event and buying new babies
Once more, thank you for giving me all that information.
Milda