Early August I had the chance to visit the orchid nursery La Canopée located on the coast of Brittany in France. As they do a lot of Lycaste breeding, I thought it would be a good time to get my first ever plant of this genus. Many thanks to my SIL, who paid for the plant as a very late birthday gift (she's a great enabler!).
With help of a very kind employee I got one of their crosses, named Lycaste Oratrix (L. campbellii x L. xanthocheila). She explained basic cultural requirements to me, but I'd appreciate more thorough advice!
What she told me:
*Bright light with very little direct sun (so somewhere between Den and Catt light?). If they have enough light leaves tend to grow upright, while plants in insufficient light tend to have horizontal/splayed leaves.
* Loves water in the growing season, keep it moist but never sitting in water. In the fall cut back on watering when the lowest leaves show signs of yellowing, then water just enough to prevent bulbs from wrinkling.
*Repot every 2 to 3 years in the spring when new growths start.
Questions I still have:
How should I care for it in the winter?
When do I start watering again?
What's the ideal timing for repotting?
I think there's a spike developing, so looks like I'll see some blooms in the fall!
Edited to add - I looked up cultural info for the parents, but can't find anything for the xanthocheila parent. However, I do see mention of a L. macrophylla ssp. xanthocheila. Are these the same, and if so, what is the correct name for the plant?
Culture advice needed for my first ever Lycaste
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