Sudamerlycaste fragrans
 

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL209.../380041394.jpg

Yes, it is fragrant -- a typical, sweet, floral smell. Very strong and very pleasant. Typically for this genus, the flower is not open in a flat presentation. Unfortunately, the fringe of the lip is slightly browned presumably from an environmental issue . The flower is slightly cupped. It is large with the dorsal sepal being 3 inches long. NEXT time, I hope to see many more flowers.

At one time, the genus was commonly known as Ida as proposed by Oakeley. Due to registration "issues", the genus is now recognized as Sudamerlycaste as originally published by Archila. This species is not yet commonly grown in private collections.

--Stitz--

Stunning flower. Never have seen that one before. ;)

Karen

Very nice!

Stitz, how big is your plant? Do you ever experience some of the spikes dying off before the flowers bloom?

I have an Ida fimbriata (yeah, I know the genus name changed, but "Suda-whatever-it's-called" is a bit more of a mouthful than the nice and simple "Ida"), and although it's bloomed now for the last two years that I've had it, I experience a lot of dying off of the spikes. One of the pseudobulbs that's currently producing two new growths is also getting ready to bloom. There are two spikes left, out of an original group of nine that were initiated. I don't know whether they're susceptible to rotting off from water, but I thought that since this species is from the Andes it would appreciate regular waterings (unlike the yellow Mexican lycastes that I know better than to water at this time of year). My temperatures are fine, with days in the high 60's and nights in the low 50's, and the humidity levels fluctuate between 55 and 65 percent. So I think, from process of elimination of the other factors, I've narrowed the problem down to watering.

I think that in the future I might just set the plant in a saucer of water rather than watering from above, just to see if that will keep the spikes from rotting off. At least the two spikes that are left are healthy and continuing to grow strongly. But it would be nice to see that wall of flowers that I know this species is capable of producing, instead of the one or two blooms that I'm actually able to coax into opening each winter.

If you have had a similar experience with any of your plants from this genus, I would appreciate learning what you may have done as far as the plants' culture is concerned. Thanks!

Steve

Steve, I have not had cultural problems with buds dropping off.

weird--my keyboard fell to the floor and a premature msg was sent!

Bottom line--my conditions are very similar to yours, Steve. My only question from your description is whether you have adequate air movement? I plan to repot mine tomorrow.

Mine has 5 mature pseudobulbs with 3 new leads literally crammed into a 4" Rands Aircone. I intend to repot tomorrow into either a 5" or 6" Aircone. This plant LOVES moisture!

Let's keep sharing info!


--Stitz--

Stitz, my plant's a water hog too. It's sitting beneath a ceiling fan in the sunroom that runs continuously. I think the plant consists of around half a dozen growths (I'm at work right now and trying to count the growths from memory) in a 6" pot. I repotted it in November, and the old pot was packed with lots of healthy roots. So I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. How many spikes did your Sud.fragrans produce,

Steve

Steve, I think that mine originally had 3 spikes for this first blooming for me. I physically damaged one, a second one disappeared soon after the damaged one and the third one bloomed. I expect that it will produce many more once it is established in a larger pot. After looking at the Rand Aircone pots, I decided to use the 6" pot. That should give it one+ year growing space but I won't bet the ranch on it!

--Stitz--