Project 2022 Leptotes species

[Leafmite]

So...my potted one died a quick death but the mounted one is doing fine. I give it a good soak every few days in the goldfish tub and spray it quite heavily with tap water in between.

[Leafmite]

I just added a little Leptotes pohlitinocoi. I really cannot wait until these finally reach blooming size.

[Roberta]

Most of the Leptotes species aren't going to be blooming until April or even May. But here's one that typically blooms in the winter - like now. Leptotes harryphillipsii. And it also has a nice contrast with the lavender/pink segments and light yellow lip. The plant has been teasing me for weeks with its buds. I'll post another set of pix in a week or so when the rest of the buds open (at least another 5 plus the two that are only partially open), but I got tired of waiting... This species grows under the same conditions as all the other Leptotes. I grow all of them on my patio, mounted with daily watering (at the moment, saturated, but that won't last), morning sun.

The species was named for Andy Phillips' brother Harry, described by Eric Christenson in 2004. For awhile it was considered to be a synonym for Lpt. pauloensis, but it now appears that Kew considers it a valid species. (I think this latest change was very recent, within the last year or two)

[Leafmite]

It is a really pretty flower.

The two that I have are doing well but I doubt I can expect blooms for a couple of years (as Hausermann's stated on their website) as they are still small. I do not really mind too much, though, as I enjoy watching young orchids grow over the years. At least this is a species and I know what the end result will be.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

It is a really pretty flower.

The two that I have are doing well but I doubt I can expect blooms for a couple of years (as Hausermann's stated on their website) as they are still small. I do not really mind too much, though, as I enjoy watching young orchids grow over the years. At least this is a species and I know what the end result will be.

Thanks! You could be surprised next spring... they can bloom on rather small plants. Here's hoping!

[Roberta]

More flowers open. Still several buds. First 2 flowers fading but more to come.

[Leafmite]

One of these days, I might have to get one of those, too. The nice thing about small orchids is that they are easy to fit into any collection.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by Roberta

More flowers open. Still several buds. First 2 flowers fading but more to come.

Just curious, how much light is that plant getting?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Just curious, how much light is that plant getting?

I'd call it "filtered sun" - it gets pretty strong sun in the morning all year, and for more time as spring and summer arrive. It lives outside at my house, so gets winter temperatures down to 40 deg F (4-5 deg C), occasionally lower for a few hours, and summer highs typically mid 80's F (29 deg C) but fairly often to 90 deg F (32 deg C) or higher. So same as all my other Leptotes species.

[tmoney]

well, here it is! our one lone flower on a spike it started growing last fall...thanks ob!!

Captura de Pantalla 2023-03-08 a las 6.48.10.jpg