Laelia lundii in bloom (in spite of the snow storms)

[Bud]

Thank You, Matt !

[sbrofio]

Hi Bud, what media do you use? Only sphagnum moss? I've got 2 brand new Laelia (or Cattleya) lundii (alba & coerulea) and wondering what media to use. I was thinking netpot and bark but also terracotta pot with sphagnum moss.
They will be both in orchidarium.

Thank you!

[Bud]

Originally Posted by sbrofio

Hi Bud, what media do you use? Only sphagnum moss? I've got 2 brand new Laelia (or Cattleya) lundii (alba & coerulea) and wondering what media to use. I was thinking netpot and bark but also terracotta pot with sphagnum moss.
They will be both in orchidarium.

Thank you!

The moss grows on the surface of the pot. But the media mix is small charcoal, lava rocks and sponge rock. These kind of orchid plant grows on rocks.

[bethmarie]

Do you let this one dry for a spell between waterings? I am still struggling to find the balance for my rupics-- I keep under watering. Your lundii is beautiful. I love this species.

[No-Pro-mwa]

I am soaking mine about every day. I wasn't watering it enough either. Also I have mine in bark. I'm thinking I need to change it but it came in bark so I thought it would be OK. I did re-pot it as it was so lightly potted I couldn't get it watered right at all. It was just setting in the pot with a little bit of bark in there.

It is my first of this kind. I really want it to grow.

[katrina]

Technically...lundii is not a rupiculous catt/laelia. It can sometimes be found growing on the rocks but most often it is found growing on trees.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by bethmarie

Do you let this one dry for a spell between waterings? I am still struggling to find the balance for my rupics-- I keep under watering. Your lundii is beautiful. I love this species.

Thank You for the visit.
In its habitat, this gets a dry season but I don't give my orchid plant a rest period. Do not underwater because it gets flooded with rains and as the water subsides the area is still damp. My plant get watered when it is almost dry. Give it Cattleya light and good air circulation.

---------- Post added at 07:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:32 PM ----------

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

I am soaking mine about every day. I wasn't watering it enough either. Also I have mine in bark. I'm thinking I need to change it but it came in bark so I thought it would be OK. I did re-pot it as it was so lightly potted I couldn't get it watered right at all. It was just setting in the pot with a little bit of bark in there.

It is my first of this kind. I really want it to grow.

Thanks for the visit Shannon....

According to Fernando Gallerani: Laelia lundii is endemic to the River Araqua valley between Sao Manoel and Botocatu cities in the State of Sao Paolo. It grows on rocks and on bush trunks of trees.
The temperature in winter can drop lower than 41F.
There is a drought season and the temperatures in the rainy summers can get to 90F. The ground becomes swampy and as the rains trickles down, it is drained gradually without being totally dry. At some point of early fall, there is a sudden change of temperature from daytime to nighttime.
This Brazilian geography is also in the temperate zone but in the South of the Equator….the USA is in the temperate zone in the North of the Equator.
Since this orchid plant is found on a river valley….the highest level of the mountains and hills nearby is 800 to 1000 meters.
The valley is located between the hills and small mountains that gradually narrow as the river flows towards the Barra Bonita dam.
Grows like other rupicolous Laelia species in an inorganic growing media. Some growers recommend a basket to accommodate its rambling growth habit and provide excellent drainage. Provide bright light and good air circulation.
It is very strange that there are no other orchids found in that area except Laelia lundii and Cattleya loddigesii.
*this is part of Fernando Gallerani’s masteral thesis while he was in his post graduate studies in Biologigal Sciences (Botany) at the National Museum (UFRJ) which I translated and summarized from Portuguese to English via Google from his published work in the Bol. Bot. Univ. Sao Paolo 25 (2)
He also provided lots of pictures in situ.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Thanks Bud for the info. And I was not clear on this one as I don't have lundii. I have dayana but I was thinking they are to be taken care of the same. This is my first rupicolous Laelia. It is kind of strange in it's habit as it was kind of trying to climb for lack of a better term. I had a hard time getting it in the pot.

I did think about putting it in a basket but the one I had seemed to large. I also got water in the new growth and the tip started to rot. I read somewhere that this happens. I quickly cut it off and it did open without the tip. It also has another new growth and I am being very careful not to get water on it.

I really think I need to get it into inorganic media but I hate to disturb it again so soon. I haven't had it very long. I would love to get more of them.

[Bud]

Laelia dayana is found growing on lichen-covered trees in the Organ Mountains in Brazil. It doesn't grow on rocks.
Laelia dayana is a curious species that is not often seen in collections. Needs bright light and good air circulation. Mount on cork or tree fern or grow in slatted baskets for optimal growth. Laelia dayana needs a cool, dry winter rest period = if you water it every other day in summer; in winter water it only weekly and hold fertilizer until you see new growths. This species has been used by breeders to produce miniature Cattleya hybrids. Laelia dayana readily adapts to being grown under lights indoors.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Thanks Bud.