Laeliocattleya

Family. Orchidaceae.

Origin. Cultural hybrid.

Description. Laeliocattleya is an evergreen orchid obtained from crossing Lelia and Cattleya. The pseudobulbs are oblong, each bearing 1 - 2 leaves at the apex. The leaves are green, sword-shaped. The inflorescences are large with large, showy flowers of a wide variety of colors. The lip is often colored in contrasting shades compared to the petals. The main difference between this hybrid and the original forms is the presence of a high peduncle.

Height. Depends on the specific type and can range from 30 cm to 1.5 m.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Daytime temperatures during the growing period should be between 18 - 22° C. At night, it is advisable to lower the temperature to 15° C. Plants can withstand hot weather with sufficient ventilation and air humidity.

Lighting

Bright indirect light is necessary for abundant flowering. The leaves of orchids that receive enough light will be bright green, while with too much light they will have a yellowish tint. In the autumn-winter period, additional lighting with fluorescent lamps is possible. 

Substrate

Based on sphagnum moss, fern roots and pine bark, loose, nutritious, with the addition of perlite to improve drainage. Add small pieces of charcoal to the finished mixture. The soil must be air and moisture permeable. 

Feeding

In the spring, as new growth begins, provide high-nitrogen fertilize. When the plant begins to form buds, change the fertilizer to phosphate, feed 2 times a month, diluting the fertilizer to half the recommended dose. Laeliocattleyas love organic feeding.

Purpose

Looks great in a hanging basket. They are excellent for cutting and do not lose their attractiveness in water for a long time. 

Flowering time

The end of winter - spring. The flowering period lasts up to 1.5 months.

Air humidity

Do not water in winter, but spray regularly. Give this plant good air circulation. Place the pot on a tray of damp pebbles or use a humidifier. The pot can be surrounded with a thick layer of moist sphagnum. 

Watering

In summer, plants are regularly watered and sprayed; in autumn, watering is reduced. In the winter months, watering can be completely replaced by spraying. After the buds open, the soil is dried sufficiently, then flowering will last longer.

Transplant

Replant after rest, if the pot becomes too small for the plant - approximately once every 3 years. Orchids prefer clay pots because their walls allow moisture and air to pass through. Dry, rotten and damaged roots are trimmed with sharp pruning shears. 

Reproduction

Propagated by division when transplanting large adult specimens. During the process, one should be guided by the fact that each division should have at least 4 pseudobulbs.

Pests and diseases

Plant rot occurs due to excess water. If the air is too dry, the buds may fall off. Flowering will not occur in poor lighting.

The most common harmful insects are  spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and scale insects. If you take a flower outside in the summer months, slugs and snails may attack it.