Ondonts? Suggestions?

[Shana Boso]

I had a friend at work whose husband gave me a few ondonts after I had seen some and liked them. What are the basics? Do they seem to start to get a little yellower in summer mos? I live in MN so summer here now. I had someone ask me about hers yellowing also. I usually stick to phals. Have a few others but not many ondonts until a few mos ago.

Also, suggestions on laelia? I have recently been looking at a few on-line and really like them.

Thanks!!!

[jerrymeola]

Ondotoglossums are in the oncidium alliance and take care in a similar manner to most oncidiums. They are a little more closely aliened with the miltonia types and would like to avoid high heat.

Yellowing and loss of older leaves is common on all oncidiums types. Fortunately they grow easy and actively replace lost growth rapidly.

[Shana Boso]

I kind of thought that the yellowing was normal but wanted to make sure just the same. I was also thinking it may have been a heat issue as I was aware that they liked a little cooler temps than the phals. Right?

Thanks
SK

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The Laelias are a big family and have been, are being, or may be broken up into many smaller families. So you will have to give us an idea of which Laelias you are interested in. The tall growing ones like purpurata and crispa can pretty much be grown like Cattleyas. Cynthia

[Shana Boso]

They are Laelia Pururata and Ancepts. I did read about splittinfg the Laelia group in the last Orchids magazine. Any suggetions would be awesome. Thank You!!!

SK

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Both purpurata and anceps will take a lot of light like a Cattleya, direct light filtered about 50%. A filmy curtain may be too much light unless you have a cool room and a lot of air movement. Laelia anceps is exceptional because it will take a lot more variation in temperature, and can be grown outdoors and brought in before there is frost. Laelia crispa and lobata are tall like the purpurata and can be crown the same. Anceps and its immediate hybrids have a long spike with flowers at the end of it, in case you haven't noticed. Something to consider. Purpurata and anceps have many color variations and a collection can be made of just these. I am a species lover, but there are a few hybrids of ancepts that I am very fond of: LC Santa Barbara Sunset 'Show Time', LC Wrigley(i) 'Blue Lagoon', L Amoena 'Blue Magic', L Canariensis 'Golden Glow', and L. Finkeniana 'Kennedy's'.

Most of the very small Laelias, of which there are many, are hard to grow. I think this is because they require very high light. One that does well with Cattleya light is Laelia fidelensis. Of the tiny ones, Laelia lucasiana seems to be a very free bloomer and has done well for me, but I have it in very high light. I have been collecting lots of the miniatures, but need more time with them to comment much. L. dayana seems to bloom well, and jongheana, larger than the average of these, is growing well. Cynthia

[Shana Boso]

Thanks! That is great info. I think I too have really started to like the Laelia's. They are so beautiful!!! Do you think phal light would be OK for those that do not require high light? I bought the Purpurata at Orchids Limited and the Ancepts on E Bay. Both about 2 yrs from blooming but well worth the wait to me and I have some other orchids blooming usually all the time between them all that keeps me a little less antsy waiting. They are really beautiful plants.

I was thinking about an east facing window in our basement for winter for the Ancepts??? It isn't cold down there but significantly cooler. I have yet to buy a thermometer. I keep thinking thinking that I really have to get at least 2-one upstairs in 1 orchid area and the other for what I plan to use for the winter plants. There are a few options in our house...just need to verify the actual temps in each first.

I will look for the others Laelia's you talk about. Way too many orchids for me to ever have enough. I do really like minitures of most orchids but will take my time before trying the Laelia's until I know more of what I have to be able to provide.

SK

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Cool for the anceps will be good, but try for the highest light you can. I think the purpurata will grow with lower light, but I don't know if it will bloom. Cynthia

[Shana Boso]

That is again wonderful info.


Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SK