Trouble with Lycaste types....

[Rothrock42]

I've got Lycaste lasioglossa, Lycaste aromatica, and Anguloa dubia. And I'm just not having much success with them.

In the past I had the problem where the leaves would dry out, turn yellow/brown and drop off -- and not at the time when they should be hibernating. Then I also have the problem where some of the bulbs get very wrinkly and squishy. I've seen this even from excellent growers in my OS, so I'm suspecting it is something common.

I grow in the house, so my options are somewhat limited.

I've moved them into my slightly cooler and more humid room. Winter temps 60 to 70 and summer 65 to 80. Currently the humidity is 60% to 70%. They are on a shelf next to two phragmipediums -- one that I've bloomed in this location and one that I haven't.

I've got a fan that blows across the phrags which they seem to like. So in this location the lycastes will have good air movement too.

They are all just now putting out 1 or 2 new growths and all still have several plump or wrinkly (but not squish) back bulbs.

Does this seem like a situation that I might have success with?

What kind of media do you use for lycaste? My dubia came in a clay pot. The lasioglossa is in plastic with no holes, and the aromatic is in plastic with holes.

Any advice?

[fishmom]

Following. I have an aromatica that just sits, no matter how I scold it. I could use some help too.

[katrina]

It's very normal for the older, leafless growth to shrivel and go brown...I let them go until I can easily twist them off the main clump.

Not all Lycaste are grown w/the same hard winter rest. Lyc aromatica requires very little water during the winter but lasioglossa doesn't need or want the same hard dry time. It's important to know which wants what. Not all lycaste lose all their leaves in the winter either so that's typically a good way to determine which need the harder winter rest. All should get little to no fert until new growth begins in the spring.

As for your premature leaf drop...it can happen if the culture is dramatically changed during the growing season. If you had just gotten it and then the leaves dropped...you probably changed something critical but the fact that you have healthy, plump pbulbs and new growths, the plants should be fine.

This time of the year I don't let them completely dry out and I have some time released granular fert in the pots to ensure a steady supply of nutrients. They are growing fast and you'll find you get bigger/fatter growths if they have the extra fert load.

I have most of mine potted in a 50/50 mix of shredded redwood and sphag and a few smaller ones in straight sphag. I have a small compot in a slit pot w/straight sphag. The larger ones are in clay bulb pans, some in plastic bulb pans, and some in aircone pots...they all seem to grow equally well. The key is making sure they have enough light - and they DO need catt level light to get the best growth and flowering - and they like a lot of water when in active growth. I've seen them successfully grown in many different mediums...the key is making sure they have enough moisture during the growing phase but you don't want them to be soggy so however you can accomplish that should be perfectly fine.

I haven't noticed any fussiness over humidity and I grow them in intermediate temps...no problems.

I find Lycaste to be easy growers and bloomers...when they get big enough...but they can sulk for what seems like forever when they are divided, recently imported and endured serious dry out, and/or set-backs from less than ideal culture. A friend had an import from S America (I don't remember which species) and it took 2 years for that thing to do anything other than sit there. If they are leafless and they aren't growing or doing anything...lightly drizzle some water around the edges of the pot every week or two so the healthy pbulbs don't shrivel away to nothing...you want to give a little moisture but you don't want them to be "wet".

I have no experience w/the Angs so I can't help there.

[DeaC]

Leo's Splash may be helpful. I've had success with my 2 and now trying catasetum. See "Lycaste,the beautiful sister of Helen of Troy".

[Rothrock42]

Thanks Katrina and DeaC a lot of food for thought there. I think the problem before was not enough air movement for the amount of light they were getting. In my new setup I think they will get about the same amount of light, but with more air and about 5% more humidity.

I'll add a little osmocote to help support the growth.

They probably all need to be have their media changed, but I think I'll wait until next year for that.

Thanks.