Laelia anceps - Dry sheath

[estación seca]

Does the tree/bush need to stay on the balcony all year, or can it come in for winter?

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Does the tree/bush need to stay on the balcony all year, or can it come in for winter?

Well, my intention is to let it stay out all the time. It needs to be a plant that can cope with my climate and with a not too much dense foliage to prevent too much shade.
Although I was not considering it but the best option seems to be a small olive tree or a Cistus. The latter could be collected on the wild but I'm sure it won't survive.

[Roberta]

What about a rose bush? There are miniature varieties that will be happy in a pot. And you get flowers as a bonus.

[rbarata]

A rose bush is a good idea but I was considering, mainly, native species.
I'll have to see which more can be an option.

[estación seca]

Cistus are easy from seed. They are considered invasive in California.

There are also a lot of winter-rainfall and opportunistic rainfall Lampranthus and Ruschia that grow as shrubs. They will tolerate your frosts. These are in the same family as ice plant and living stones, and they have amazing flowers. They are very easy from seed sown in autumn. You can find seed from African sources.

If you can find one, a Ceanothus would also be nice. This is a genus of small to large shrubs native mostly to California with beautiful clusters of blue flowers.

[rbarata]

Maybe this time it will go all the way through the bloom...

[Roberta]

That looks very good! From the leaf color, it appears that it is getting the light that it wants. Now comes the wait... because if it does go all the way, it will be some time between October and January or February that it blooms. It teases you with lengthening spike and tightly-closed buds in a bundle for months and months.

[rbarata]

Update on this one...it survived the summer light and heat, developed 3 spikes, there's a new growth, the leaves are light green, some more yellow than green and I'm hoping to see it bloom for the first time under my care.
The initial light acclimatization was a bit rushed from my side which caused some leaf casualties.

[Roberta]

Looking good! Well worth the sacrifice of a leaf or two (no need to cut, the toasted leaves will eventually drop naturally)

[rbarata]

This is how it looks right now... consequnces of growing outside for most of the year...leaves chewed by something I could never see, burned leaves, dried and burned pbulbs, etc...

But there's a reward...finally after more than 2 years growing it. And there's still one more to open.
Thanks to all who gave me advises on this one, especially Roberta and Estacion seca.