Laelia anceps is one of the ubiquitous orchid species to be found in a Central and Southern California orchid collection. Why? They are incredibly hardy, easy to grow, and flourish outdoors in a range of conditions. There are a plethora of colors, both from the original diverse varieties found … [Read more...] about Laelia anceps ‘Ruborosa’
Laelia
Finding the “right light”: growing areas and the art of orchid placement
What's the "right light"? Optimal light intensity for different genera and species of orchids has been an ongoing question and quest of our orchid culture. Over the years, I have continually experimented and refined the placement of orchids indoors under LED grow lights, and outdoors in several … [Read more...] about Finding the “right light”: growing areas and the art of orchid placement
A Triumph of Beauty: 10 exceptional alba orchids of 2020
This unique collection of orchid photographs emerges from a very unique year of orchid growing: 2020. That probably says enough for most people to understand. In addition to the human-related dramas of the year, we experienced some extreme weather to add to our orchid growing … [Read more...] about A Triumph of Beauty: 10 exceptional alba orchids of 2020
Cattleya (Laelia) jongheana fma. alba
The orchid portrait of Cattleya (Laelia) jongheana fma. alba is one of my favorites of this year ... but I might almost always say that for an alba form -- a particular love in our collection. We also grow the type color form of this species, and they are a stunning combination when in bloom … [Read more...] about Cattleya (Laelia) jongheana fma. alba
Cattleya (Laelia) purpurata ‘SanBar Venosa’
The best of our summer orchid blooming comes from the Brazilian Cattleya. While the Cymbidium are mostly in growing-mode, with the exception of the Australian species, the Laelia (Cattleya) species from Brazil are in fine form. Our seasonal temperatures tend to vary considerably now; however, the … [Read more...] about Cattleya (Laelia) purpurata ‘SanBar Venosa’
Cattleya (Laelia) fidelensis
From bud to bloom ... one of my favorite flowering series of photographs of an orchid. Laelia (Cattleya) fidelensis is rather uncommon in cultivation. Its name comes from the place where it was first discovered: the Sao Fidelis mountains near Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. That being said, the more … [Read more...] about Cattleya (Laelia) fidelensis
Cattleya (Laelia) alaorii
Near perfection in an orchid flower: subtle, delicate color and symmetry in the flower of Cattleya (Laelia) alaorii 'TON Too'. This species is a wonderfully adaptable, compact, and easy grower for us. It resides on the shadier side of our bench of rupiculous Laelia, with a few other members of the … [Read more...] about Cattleya (Laelia) alaorii
Cattleya (Laelia) grandis
Distinctive, majestic, and elegant are adjectives that come to mind for Laelia (Cattleya) grandis, a Brazilian orchid species. As with other Brazilian Laelia, this species has migrated to the genus Cattleya, though few orchid growers have adopted the change in common usage. It is relatively … [Read more...] about Cattleya (Laelia) grandis
