Lycaste

Family. Orchidaceae.

Origin. Tropics of America. 

Description. Lycaste is a small genus of epiphytic or terrestrial orchids, including about 40 species of plants with elongated pseudobulbs. The leaves are light green, lanceolate or long, strap-shaped - up to 60 cm, curved. The buds are large - up to 10 cm in diameter, spectacular, bright, located at the top of leafless peduncles. Each flower has 3 triangular petals and a lip in the center. The color of the petals is greenish, white, cream, pink, yellow, red, burgundy and lilac. During the flowering period, many plants emit a pleasant aroma of lemon or cinnamon.

Height. In indoor culture it rarely exceeds 50 cm. 

Care

Soil

A substrate for orchids consisting of sphagnum moss, small pieces of pine bark with the addition of charcoal and perlite. pH is acidic or neutral. 

Keeping at home 

In autumn, some species shed their leaves - this is a normal process. In late winter or spring, new leaf blades appear.

Flowering time

Spring Summer. Each flower can remain open for up to 2 months.

Temperature

Lycaste is thermophilic and prefers to be indoors where the daytime temperature is 20 - 23 ° C, decreasing at night to 13 - 16 ° C. In winter, the dormant period should take place at a temperature of about 13 ° C. 

Lighting

A brightly lit place with reflected sunlight. Direct sunlight on the leaves during daylight hours can cause sunburn. When grown in partial shade, flowering will be less abundant. If there is a lack of natural light, additional lighting with fluorescent lamps can be used. If the bush has shed its leaves, then lighting will no longer play a big role.

Fertilizer

With the beginning of new growth, the orchid begins to be fed with liquid fertilizers in half concentration 2 times a month. During the dormant period, feeding is stopped. 

Spraying

The air humidity is high – about 60 - 80%. You can spray the leaves with soft water at room temperature in the morning. In this case, the orchid needs to be provided with a place where it will receive good air movement, and the moisture will have time to evaporate from the surface of the leaves before the evening. You can also put the pot on a tray with wet pebbles or use a room humidifier to increase the humidity.

Water orchids at home

In summer, plants are watered and sprayed abundantly and quite often. In autumn, the frequency of watering is reduced. In the winter months, watering can be replaced by spraying. For watering, use softened rainwater or bottled water at room temperature. 

Transplant

Every year, with the beginning of new growth or immediately after flowering, the lycaste is transplanted into fresh soil. When replanting, trim off old and damaged roots.

Reproduction

Propagated by dividing adult specimens during transplantation, with each division having at least 4 pseudobulbs.

Pests and diseases

Leaves may turn yellow when exposed to direct sunlight. Dark leaf coloring is a result of insufficient light.

Among the harmful insects, spider mites and whiteflies, sometimes scale insects, and mealybugs can appear.

Purpose

Looks great when grown in a hanging basket. Flowers do not lose their attractiveness for a long time when cut. 

Varieties:

Lycaste consobrina

A small orchid with light green, flat pseudobulbs, often topped with sharp spines. The leaves are glossy, green, elliptical. The flowers have lemon petals and a bright orange lip, reach 5 - 7 cm in diameter, and are collected in small inflorescences on the tops of erect, short peduncles. During the flowering period, the plant emits a wonderful aroma

Lycaste dowiana

An epiphytic orchid that requires cool conditions. Pseudobulbs are slightly wrinkled, dark green, glossy, slightly compressed. The leaves are green, glossy, with clearly defined longitudinal veins, pointed. The flowers are fragrant, reach 3 - 5 cm in diameter, are located on short peduncles and have brown, burgundy or greenish petals and a light - almost white lip. 

Lycaste Lasioglossa

A relatively tall orchid with oblong, light green pseudobulbs. The leaves are wide, ribbed, green. The peduncles are thin, erect, reaching a height of 25 cm, each bearing at the top one attractive flower with a diameter of up to 14 cm. The petals are brown or pinkish, narrow, glossy, the center of the flowers or the fluffy lip are painted in bright yellow or orange shades. The flowers are odorless. 

Lycaste skinneri

A large-sized, epiphytic or lithophytic orchid with large, slightly compressed pseudobulbs and green, belt-shaped leaves 10 - 15 cm long. In the autumn months, the leaves of this variety fall off. The peduncles are erect, reaching a height of 15 - 30 cm. Flowers in different plants can have different shades and sizes, but they are always very fragrant and remain attractive for a long time. This variety should be kept in fairly cool conditions. 

Lycaste cruenta

A cold-tolerant variety that is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid with large, oblong, flat pseudobulbs. The leaves are oblong - elliptical, with longitudinal veins, reach a length of 40 cm, and often fall off before flowering. The peduncles are short, bearing one or more very fragrant greenish-yellow flowers up to 8 cm in diameter. The smell of these plants is sweetish, reminiscent of the aroma of cinnamon. An adult plant is capable of forming several flower stalks, and the total number of buds can reach 20. 

Lycaste ciliata

Epiphytic or lithophytic orchids of medium size, preferring cool conditions. The pseudobulbs are oblong, ribbed, almost flat, each bearing 2 leaves at the top. The leaves are green, with longitudinal veins, belt-shaped. The peduncles are short, erect, bearing greenish-yellow flowers at the tops. During the flowering period, the plant emits a very pleasant aroma, which can intensify at night.