Winter care for Lycaste aromatica?
 

I have a small Lycaste aromatica that I'm not sure how to take care of for the winter. I know that it needs a reduction in watering and that the leaves should fall off. But do I need to reduce water to make the leaves fall, or wait until they fall off before reducing water? Right now the leaves are still green and perky and i'm keeping it on a regular watering schedule.

Leaf yellowing and dropping may be associated with a temperature drop.

I have one of these too, Camille, and I was wondering the same thing. From what I've seen on mine so far, it does seem that the drop in temps, signals the plant to drop leaves and begin rest. I started cutting down on the water ever since the light decreased and the temps got cooler.

Cut back slightly on the water until the leaves drop, and then reduce significantly until the new growth appears.

I begin to reduce water for this species beginning in September. Now, I water whenever the pseudobulbs begin to shrivel. Soon, I will water after I see significant shriveling.

Last night, I removed 15 dead leaves from one of my 3 different Lyc aromatica plants. The last time that I removed dead leaves from that plant? Earlier in the week.

Harsh? Yes.
This plant flowers with gusto every year.

--Stitz--

Camille, my two plants of aromatica still have their leaves also. Only Lycaste cruenta has dropped all of its leaves so far. I let the yellow-flowered Mexican lycastes go dry for about five days to a week between light waterings at this time of year. That, coupled with the fact that the temperatures in their growing area start to drop significantly during the late fall and early winter months, usually causes them to drop their leaves. Once the leaves have completely fallen, I basically ignore the plants for a few months. If they start to get significant shriveling in the pseudobulbs (especially the newest pseudobulb), I'll water them lightly once every couple of weeks. They generally react favorably to being abused/neglected at this time of year. I think there's a much greater chance of killing them with kindness than there is with neglecting them. Good luck with your plant.

Steve

Thanks for all your help everyone! I suspect that I am being much too kind to it. I'll put it somewhere cooler, and reduce watering even more (I would only let the bulbs slightly wrinkle before watering). I'll put with with my winter resting Den, which is growing cool and dry right now.

If the plant doesn't get a proper rest (doesn't lose its leaves) does mean that it won't produce blooms in the spring? I'm really looking forward to the the blooms. I had the chance to stick my nose in the middle of a blooming size specimen plant while visiting a botanical garden/greenhouses and the smell was just heaven!

I'm not sure if the plant would bloom if it doesn't receive a winter rest. In their natural environment, they've evolved to take advantage of seasonally cool and dry periods during the winter months. If a reduction in water and temperatures are what triggers flowering, then the lack of those triggers might prevent the plant from blooming (but please note that I have no direct evidence to support this; it's simply an opinion).

Oh, and just make sure that when you stick your nose in the blooms next spring, you remain mindful of those spines that are left on the top of the pseudobulb. They're extremely sharp and can be wickedly dangerous--and when you're enjoying the scent of the flowers it's all too easy to forget about the spines.

ahhh, yes....the fragrance is intoxicating! :cloud9:

--Stitz--