Project 2017: Rupicolous Laelias

[orion141]

Here's a pic of my new laelia milleri fresh from andy's orchids!! Hopefully I can get it to grow and bloom well

[estación seca]

Winters in that area are dry, with almost no dew. At those elevations winter nights can get down to, or just below, freezing. Winter days will be much warmer than nights, and the plant will get more sun in winter than in summer, due to the lack of grasses growing over the plant.

There will be a lot of summer rain. Summer days will be very warm. Summer nights will be a lot cooler than days. The plants will never be dry for long during the summer season because of frequent rain, but the roots are never buried deeply, so they have air all the time, even when wet.

They will have grass growing over them in summer, so will not experience high temperatures with direct sun. Minas Gerais is about 20 degrees from the Equator. Connecticut is about 41 degrees. In Connecticut, I would try and move it gradually into as much summer sun as you can give it. In winter it will also need as much light as possible.

I don't know whether this plant requires a cycling between summer and winter conditions, or whether it can grow warm and moist all year. The cool, dry and very sunny winter may be important to plant health.

[Salixx]

I haven't decided yet if I want to do L. gloendeniana, L. schmidtii or L. colganoi yet, but will within the next week.... it's so hard to choose!

Orion, I'm jealous you got a milleri. It's been on my "want" list but now has to wait until I find homes for some of my other orchids I'm not in love with anymore. My only exception is if I happen to find one at the show I am going to in a couple weeks!

[orion141]

Thanks estacion. I typically grow under t5ho lights so I am going to move it as close as possible to the lights (eventually). Hopefully this will help me be able to control the light/humidity and temperature (mildly) throughout the year so as to best mimic their native environment. I can definitely do cool and dry inside in the New England winter hahahaha. We will see though.. this is easier said than done sometimes...


Thanks salixx, I will be really happy if I get this plant to thrive and bloom (it looks very pretty in the photos). What show are you going to?

[Salixx]

The New England Orchid Fest held by the Amherst Orchid Society, it's being held on the 23rd and 24th of this month. I was able to get the 23rd off from work so I am super pumped! I'm not sure it qualifies as a true "show" but it's close enough.
Annual New England Summer Orchid Fest | Amherst Orchid Society

[estación seca]

That is definitely a TRUE SHOW. There will be a lot of great vendors! And AOS judging!

[Cheddarbob14]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Winters in that area are dry, with almost no dew. At those elevations winter nights can get down to, or just below, freezing. Winter days will be much warmer than nights, and the plant will get more sun in winter than in summer, due to the lack of grasses growing over the plant.

There will be a lot of summer rain. Summer days will be very warm. Summer nights will be a lot cooler than days. The plants will never be dry for long during the summer season because of frequent rain, but the roots are never buried deeply, so they have air all the time, even when wet.

They will have grass growing over them in summer, so will not experience high temperatures with direct sun. Minas Gerais is about 20 degrees from the Equator. Connecticut is about 41 degrees. In Connecticut, I would try and move it gradually into as much summer sun as you can give it. In winter it will also need as much light as possible.

I don't know whether this plant requires a cycling between summer and winter conditions, or whether it can grow warm and moist all year. The cool, dry and very sunny winter may be important to plant health.

I would appreciate it if you could be a little more thorough, and informative in threads like this (hint of sarcasm........uh oh, double sarcasm with 1 statement) . Thank you for all the insight!

[rbarata]

So I am not able to find as much detailed information about laelia milleri as you all were able to about some of the others

Laelia milleri

Light: 2500-4000 fc. Bright light required. Avoid direct, midday sun. Continuous strong air movement should be provided at all times.

Temps: Summer days avg 74-76F (25-25ºC), and nights avg 59-60F (15-16ºC WITH A DIURNAL RANGE OF 15-16F (9ºC).

HR: Near 75% in summer and autumn, dropping to near 70% in winter and spring.

Watering: Rainfall is moderate to heavy from spring to midautumn. Declines rapidly in autumn and remains low during late autumn and winter dry season (lasts for 3-4 onths. Water relatively often while growing but they need to dry somewhat between waterings. Reduce gradually in late autumn.

Fertilizer: 1/4-1/2 recommended strength, applied every 1-2 weeks.

Rest: Winter days avg 71-73F (22-23ºC), and nights avg 47-50F (8-10ºC), with a diurnal range of 23-24F (13ºC). Don't let them completely dry for extended periods. Reduce or eliminate fertilizer until resume watering in the growing season.

Medium: same as other rupiculous catts/laelias.

[orion141]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Laelia milleri

Light: 2500-4000 fc. Bright light required. Avoid direct, midday sun. Continuous strong air movement should be provided at all times.

Temps: Summer days avg 74-76F (25-25ºC), and nights avg 59-60F (15-16ºC WITH A DIURNAL RANGE OF 15-16F (9ºC).

HR: Near 75% in summer and autumn, dropping to near 70% in winter and spring.

Watering: Rainfall is moderate to heavy from spring to midautumn. Declines rapidly in autumn and remains low during late autumn and winter dry season (lasts for 3-4 onths. Water relatively often while growing but they need to dry somewhat between waterings. Reduce gradually in late autumn.

Fertilizer: 1/4-1/2 recommended strength, applied every 1-2 weeks.

Rest: Winter days avg 71-73F (22-23ºC), and nights avg 47-50F (8-10ºC), with a diurnal range of 23-24F (13ºC). Don't let them completely dry for extended periods. Reduce or eliminate fertilizer until resume watering in the growing season.

Medium: same as other rupiculous catts/laelias.

Thats great, thanks so much! Is this from orchidwiz?

[rbarata]

Yes, from an "old" version. Maybe some new hybrids and recent changes in nomenclature are not included but to me, just an amateur, is more than enough.