lycaste hybrid just came home with me
 

And guess from where? the supermarket... (trader joe's)...

I was a bit shocked really, like really...

I really can only grow mini's that are warm/heat tolerant if not loving, and here I am bringing this home. Never grew one. With further research I found that certain species can be warm growing (yellow and red contributing species) that can make hybrids temperature tolerant, but we'll see. I've killed enough things this year, that's for sure, so I'm not holding my breath. For now though it can enjoy the cool weather outside for the next 6 or so months here on my balcony...

Anyway, being that I've never had one before could use some pointers from you guys that grow these monstrous things...

I got it with something like 5 buds and a flower already open... 2x large large pbs, and quite a few smaller ones, and a single leafed growth, which just lost a basal leaf... nots sure what it'll due after it's done flowering, and what I should do with it after it's done flowering? rest it or resume watering in cooler weather?

Now that is a nice piece. Great pick-up & a keeper for sure. :clap: Good luck with it!

Wow, that is a pretty color! I'm with Tindomul, I never see anything like that at TJs.

I'm new to these as well.Leo's Splash Got all my info from his Lycaste section.

Nice plant and gorgeous bloom. I have no idea about growing these and I don't have a TJ's anywhere near me. Good luck with it!

Thanks DeaC that is a great amount of info!

and thanks all for the encouraging/ comments...

lycastes are quite the thing here in CA it seems, always been afraid of their needs for cool and lots of space but at 13 bucks I figure why not try? LOL

I never saw this when it was new. Congratulations!