Project 2022 Leptotes species

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by avian

Isn't that named after Andy Phillips' (Andy's Ochids) brother?

Yes. I bought it as Lpt. harryphilipsii (from Andy, of course) 10 years ago, but for quite a few years Kew considered it a synonym for Lpt. pauloensis. (Sorry, Harry...) But in last year or two Kew lists them as separate species.

The species was described by Eric Christenson and named, in 2004. I found a reference in AOS publication in 2012 considering it a synonym of Lpt pauloensis. Last year looked it up in the Kew database and it is now listed as a separate species again. (Not sure exactly when that decision was made, but quite recently) The scientific world moves slowly and not without disputes.

[Leafmite]

My new growths on my little plants are doing well. I am really enjoying the pictures of everyone's flowers!

[Dusty Ol' Man]

From everything I've read and has been said here I know that Lpt like intermediate to warm temps. Do you think 85°f is on the high side?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

From everything I've read and has been said here I know that Lpt like intermediate to warm temps. Do you think 85°f is on the high side?

I don't think they care... If warmer, maybe a little shading from midday sun but they're extremely forgiving. I grow them outside (temps from winter lows of 40 deg F or occasionally lower to summer highs typically in the mid 80's F and occasionally higher into the 90's F, humidity is whatever they get.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Thanks Roberta. One older leaf suddenly yellowed and died. I'm watching closely for any further issues. I may move it to a less bright location, but that would mean a bit lower temps. 74°f high. We shall see.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Thanks Roberta. One older leaf suddenly yellowed and died. I'm watching closely for any further issues. I may move it to a less bright location, but that would mean a bit lower temps. 74°f high. We shall see.

Right now, mine us getting 55 deg F nights, 71/72 deg days. Morning sun (except lately it has been overcast... again it doesn't much care) These are very robust little orchids. Losing an older leaf isn't a problem, just force of nature. As long as the newer leaves look good, no worries.

[Roberta]

This is a Leptotes bicolor that I have had for a bit over 13 years. I remounted it 9 years ago. There may be a bit of sphagnum in there someplace, but it has completely outgrown any that was there, The mount is completely covered in roots, and the plant is basically growing on a root ball. As mentioned above, this plant gets whatever Mother Nature throws at it - winter cold (it is seen close to freezing), summer heat (usually 85-90 deg F, but it has seen over 100 deg F occasionally). It gets daily watering (2 minutes of sprinklers), but this winter it also got rained on a lot, and this is one of the best blooms I have seen from it. But there are also days with hot, dry winds and single-digit humidity. So, I have seen bigger and grander specimens of this species, but those usually get some protection... this is just one tough little orchid. It gets strong morning sun, some shading from midday on.

I have a small division that I have been pampering in the greenhouse, warm and damp (net pot, sphagnum), which I started with the beginning of this project. Basically it hasn't done much. Finally growing a new root. (whoopee...) So I conclude that at least for me, these do better with abuse.

[StephaneL]

My Leptotes bicolor is now in full bloom.

[WaterWitchin]

Good growing StephaneL. It looks so different growing in a pot than mounted. Looks like it's easier to take pics of the blooms. Had to almost stand on my head to get pictures.

Did you go ahead and repot it in the bark you were thinking of?

[StephaneL]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Good growing StephaneL. It looks so different growing in a pot than mounted. Looks like it's easier to take pics of the blooms. Had to almost stand on my head to get pictures.

Did you go ahead and repot it in the bark you were thinking of?

Thank you WaterWitchin!

Indeed I repotted it in a bark mixture (classic size Orchiata and medium perlite) soon after my last year's post. I have kept it moist all of last summer (similar to my Paphs) and drier in the winter (similar to my Cattleyas). It seems happy with that regimen.