Lycaste macrobulbon - Orchid Board

smweaver · #1 02-17-2011, 10:02 AM

According to Dr. Oakeley, this Colombian species, in spite of the yellow flowers, deciduous habit and spines, is closely related to Lyc. macrophylla rather than Lyc. aromatica, cruenta or the other yellow-flowered species from Central America. It certainly flowers less abundantly for me than either aromatica or cruenta, and the scent (unfortunately) isn't anything to brag about (again, compared to the extravagant fragrances of aromatica and cruenta). But it's an easy species to grow and bloom, and the flowers are pretty. I just try to keep my nose at a respectable distance.

Steve

Lycaste macrobulbon | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Lycaste macrobulbon | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Lycaste macrobulbon | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

BikerDoc5968 · #2 02-17-2011, 10:13 AM

Well, Steve I love the intense yellow color with the neat spots and would be thrilled anytime it flowered. In fact, I have a Lyc. macrophylla that put out 4 flowers recently and was a lime green colored flower. Not complaining but your yellow definitely takes the cake! Thanks for posting... Oh and any time you want to divide it, well, you know the rest!

Stitzelweller · #3 02-18-2011, 01:12 PM

Congratulations, Steve!

I have tried and tried to flower this species. I have failed. Two were purchased from orquivalle from Colombia in separate years ('08 & '10) and recently I purchased two from Tropical Orchid Farm in Hawaii. Four strikeouts. The one from '08 is pushing its luck...without results next yr, it's gone.

I have a Lyc Leo 'Knob Creek' which is 50% macrobulbon in flower with more buds coming with little effort, but not the species!

smweaver · #4 02-18-2011, 08:15 PM

Well, Stitz, I have to say that it probably only flowered by accident for me, since I didn't read about it until AFTER the spikes began to appear. Although I knew it was from Colombia, I assumed (mistakenly!) that it should be treated like aromatica and cruenta. So when the plants I have of those two species dropped their leaves in late November, and the macrobulbon didn't, I "helped" it by cutting its leaves off, withholding water, and letting it experience the same 45 to 53 F nights that the other lycastes received. Only after I started reading the Oakeley book did I realize my error in not treating it like the other relatives of macrophylla. I got this plant from TOF also, so maybe you should try again. Next time just abuse it a little! :-)

Steve

BikerDoc5968 · #5 02-19-2011, 09:53 AM

Not to be too brain-dead, Steve, but which vendor is "TOF"? I really like the deep yellow color. Thsnks

smweaver · #6 02-19-2011, 10:54 AM

Hi, Howard. It's Tropical Orchid Farm (Hawaii) for (I think) something like $20. Orchids Limited has them too, but at $150, that's a bit steep in my opinion. And for $150, I want it to smell nice (and fix breakfast, walk the dog, etc.).

BikerDoc5968 · #7 02-19-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smweaver

Hi, Howard. It's Tropical Orchid Farm (Hawaii) for (I think) something like $20. Orchids Limited has them too, but at $150, that's a bit steep in my opinion. And for $150, I want it to smell nice (and fix breakfast, walk the dog, etc.).

I would agree, for $150.00 I can think of some other things I'd like, but then this is a "G-rated" site....

If you like Lycaste and its alliance (Ida and Anguloa) ECUAGENERA in Ecuador (http://www.ecuagenera.com/epages/whi...ops/ecuagenera) has a nice list at good pricing and will be coming to the Illinois show March 26~28. Not sure how much extra they charge to bring/pickup at a show. I plan on going. It's about a 4 to 5 hour drive for you?

smweaver · #8 02-20-2011, 07:07 AM

Where is the Illinois show? Since it's only the state next door to me, I might actually have a shot at attending an orchid show!

BikerDoc5968 · #9 02-20-2011, 08:32 AM

Chicago Botanic Gardens, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, Ill. It's north of the city. Not sure exactly where you are in Fishers, but I-65 to I-90 (Dan Ryan) to the city and then north on I 94 (Edens) until it divides but not toward the airport and exit at Lake Cook Road.

Stitzelweller · #10 02-20-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smweaver

Hi, Howard. It's Tropical Orchid Farm (Hawaii) for (I think) something like $20. Orchids Limited has them too, but at $150, that's a bit steep in my opinion. And for $150, I want it to smell nice (and fix breakfast, walk the dog, etc.).

Orchids Limited prices are outlandish. That $150 gets you a Lyc macrobulbon plant in a 3.25" pot! The "bargain" is a Lyc aromatica, 5" pot, for a mere $135. WoW! I have an aromatica worth around $800 at those prices !

My macrobulbon from 2008 put out a few spikes since the last post. I grow it with the cruenta and aromatica plants.