Laelia Anceps in South Florida?
 

I have been growing Catt. and Onc. in South Florida for several years with great success. I have only two Laelia Anceps in my collection and they have not done well. In the last two years they get buds but they turn yellow and drop off. New growths often turn brown and die. The plants just don't look healthy. Are these orchids not suited for outdoor South Florida culture?

I have several Laelia anceps and they have been growing like weed...I'm not sure how you are growing them, but I do grow them successfully outdoors.

Thanks for the reply. That's encouraging to know that someone is growing them successfully down here. I treat my Laelias just like my Catts. I thought their culture was the same. Am I wrong about that?

Hi there again. I'm sorry. I suppose I meant that I don't know what medium and light you are giving them. I have some catts but the majority of my catt alliance is composed of Rupicolous Laelias and Laelia anceps and its hybrids.

I grow mine, like I mentioned, outdoors on a shelf in my yard. The Laelias and rupicolous laelias definitely require A LOT more light than cattleyas do. I mean A LOT. I grow mine in almost full sun and I leave them out in temperature extremes--even during the winter time. As a matter of fact, I grow them alongside my renantheras, who love the sun. I find that Laelia anceps grows faster and bigger than catts do.


Ummm. As far as potting medium, I grow mine in 100% hydroton.


I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. :)

Thanks again. I have mine in clay pots with Hydroton and charcoal. They do get a lot of light. I might just have a couple of duds. I won't give up now that I know it can be done. Thanks again.

Good luck!! the blooms are definitely worth it!!

BTW--that cattleya in your picture is gorgeous!

Question 1...Do you guys treat for thrips?
Question 2...Where are you buying Hydroton? Or is this Leca? that might have been 3

Hi there swamper!! :)

1) What are thrips? I'm guessing its not a good thing. Are these the things that eat blooms?

I got that once with a phal but not again for any plants.

2) I buy it by the BIG bag from OFE or I go to a local hydroponics store.

3) I think it's hydroton. :)

Hi Maria. Yeah thrips love new blooms and they'll blast them to bits. If I get a new bud and don't spray for thrips, I will most likely loose it and the signs are like Tuckers'.
I think Leca and Hydroton are the same.
I love OFE but they are so expensive.
I think I just keep going back to see the pretty girl :)

LOLOLOL

I got it once on a phal, but never again on any other plant. Probably because when anything starts to bud I put it inside. :) Except for the renantheras and they've never gotten thrips.

You are right---OFE is expensive. but not for the hydroton. The hydroponics store and OFE have it at the same price. But their selection isn't that great and well--I don't have the same incentive that you do. giggle

I actually buy most of my supplies online now. Cheaper, even with the shipping. And, more selection. :)

Thrips
 

I do spray for thrips. In Feb. I spray with Oraganocide oil and a week later I spray with insecticide soap. I repeat this again in Mar.. Occasionally I will use a stonger insecticide if I think there's a problem. I get Hydroton at Green Barn in Delray, Broward Ochid Supply in Hollywood or on line at Repotme.com. It's available at any of the orchid shows here in So. Fl.

Laelia annceps wants to grow very dry - more so than Cattleya. Yellowing buds can come from excess water.

The comments from those growing them well showed they were growing in conditions that helped the plant to dry fast. Hydrothon and high light will dry the plant faster. High light is recommended and if you do not like hydrothon then mix about half your potting medium with charcoal. Charcoal does not hold water like bark and the mix is much drier.

Thrips would make the buds go black and dried looking. It is a problem throughout March and April. I am fighting it now.

The oil and soap treatment are safe and a decent preventative but will not cure an infestation if it happens.

Oil and Soap are contact killers. They will wipe out the thrips they contact. However, thrips hatch about every 3 days so if you have an infestation you need to treat every three days for a week or two.