Newbie--Laelia Anceps Guererro In-Bloom
 

Hi, this is my first time posting. I have been reading threads here for as long as I've been attempting to grow orchids, which is 4 years :) I've been a part of my local orchid society yet lack time and money to keep going regularly for now. I'm nerdy enough to experiment and these are my green pets after all, so I'm as happy as the Cheshire Cat experimenting on my lovely green pets :biggrin: Sadly many have not joined my big smile up in the sky but chose the wrong right path. So I dance with my greenly companions that remain.

The green pet I can rejoice for is my Laelia Anceps Guerrero that is in Bud! I regret that I can not take any credit for the plant, or the spike. I purchased the plant that way and have nurtured it as well as a mad cat can grow a plant to smile back for him ;) I am shocked the plant continued with the blooms. I'd been forced to neglect care for the plants and thought for sure it would abort the blooms to save energy for the plant. But it was so determined, it shot out new roots and is pushing 2 blooms right now, and I couldn't be happier. I have had dreams of fields of Laelia Anceps blooms for years! The blooms are glued together due to very low humidity. So I've been running water over them and lightly rubbing them to free them from the bloom sheaths and hopefully help them open successfully. I am afraid they might not like the water and the touching though. If you think I am doing the right thing here then fingers crossed they open up ok :)

I grow in difficult conditions that include a basement window for the ones in spike, temporarily that is. And all my other green friends grow on a small bookshelf next to a west-facing basement sliding door with a deck above the door. Though the plants grow pretty and green, I know they will not bloom from my care until they can have more light. I live in a complex living situation, so they will grow green and wait until they can have a new home with me.

Thanks for reading my poor grower's happiness :biggrin:



Update -- It just bloomed in the past 24 hrs. Pics below

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Latest Update
-- Pics in Full Bloom. One bloom has light striations like a precursor to Lineata or Disciplinata. I don't remember offhand what crosses are used to make those two beautiful flowers. Enjoy :)
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Welcome to the Orchid Board! Good job with the Laelia.

:welcomeflowers:

Laelia anceps buds can get quite sticky with sap, and most people do gently wash that off with plain water. Good luck!

UPDATE -- First bloom opened recently
 

Thanks for your encouragement. The first bud began opening within the past 24 hours. I'm honestly surprised the blooms even opened. They were tiny little buds almost glued against an old aluminum window with snow on the ground outside, neglected for over a month. Then when I watered the plant, fertilized it, and pulled the spike away from the window, they grew so fast and shot out new roots too! P.S.-- Apologies for the bad quality pics. My camera isn't very good.

Nice thanks for the :photo:. Nice bloom + bud :goodluck: with them!!

Looks great!

Full Bloom :)

Good job! What are your temperatures at the growing area?

Thank you! I wonder why you ask about the growing temp? The plant was already in spike when I bought it from a fellow member of my orchid society. He grew it in his greenhouse, and I've grown it in a west facing basement window with a temp of around 55-65 degrees in that room. The window that the spike was hugging before it bloomed was MUCH colder. To be honest, when I pulled the buds back away from the cold window they were like little ice cubes, which is why I thought it wouldn't bloom. But these blooms are such a neon hot pink color like I've never seen. The pics don't do the colors justice.

Because I'm trying to find one of the Laelias to grow outside. My main issue in those conditions are low temps so I'm always wanting to know how low they can tolerate.