Lycaste - Information on the orchid culture

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Some essential information on the culture of Lycaste, the leviathans of the orchid world by the Canadian Orchid Congress.

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LYCASTEPronounced: lieKAStee Many Lycaste are amongst the leviathans of the orchid world when grown in the right conditions.Leaves can be one meter in length, with goose egg sized pseudobulbs. Their beauty lies in the abundant and often very large waxy flowers of a triangular geometry that cluster around the pseudobulbs.The white, green, yellow, brown, pink or red flowers bloom all at once. Healthy Lycaste start with healthy roots:Fir bark mixtures are best,in a fine medium. Pot with 0.5 to 1.0 cm chunks of bark, perlite and charcoal. Addmoss if watering frequency cannot maintain required level of moisture.In larger pots use larger mix (1.5–2.0 cm) in all but top 10 cm of pot.  Repotannually in the spring when the new growth is approximately the height of the previous year’s pseudobulbs. Removeold medium if it is loose or breaking down, rotting roots or brown bulbs; use a plastic pot that will be full when new growth matures.  Whenthe plant is actively growing, keep medium constantly moist.When lowest sheathing leaves on new growth turn yellow, signaling dormancy, stop watering until pseudobulbs shrivel slightly.Then water only enough to keep pseudobulbs from shriveling further until new growth in spring.Some bloom in autumn, if so, continue to water until blooming complete.When watering, water thoroughly, with a volume of water at least equal to that of the pot. not use water softened in saltconsuming water softeners. Low mineral content water is preferred, such as Do naturally soft water or rain water.If hard water is used, water very heavily to flush minerals.  Fertilize weakly and frequently with a balanced fertilizer during growth. Oneeighth to onequarter strength recommended by manufacturer for house plants every week.Do not fertilize when dormant. Healthy leaves produce more and bigger flowers:  Highlight levels are appropriate.Leaves should be a light green, not yellowish (too much light) or dark green (too little light).They should be firm, not long and floppy (more light needed). A slight red blush indicates an ideal light level on some plants.A more pronounced red blush indicates too much light. windowsill (West or South) or 1530 cm under an eight tube fluorescent fixture or underhours of sunshine on a Four an HID sodium or metal halide lamp.Plant size usually prevents mature plants growing under fluorescent lights.  Becareful of rot– thelarge pseudobulbs are almost entirely water–spot on pseudobulb likely water blister. black Avoid standing water at night; treat with the spice cinnamon.  Delicateleaves are prone to spider mites–wash off leaves regularly.  Lycastedo best with 5060% humidity but when mature will grow and bloom, although more slowly, in lower humidity. Use humidifier to raise humidity–Enclosing plant growing areas ispans and misting minimally effective. humidity effective but ensure fresh air and air movement to avoid mold and rot.  Grow Lycaste in cool to intermediate temperatures with 10°C minimum winter nights and 29°C summer day maximum. Ensure612°C day/night difference to aid flower formation.  Twomajor groups of Lycaste: oaromaticatype : deciduous, usually yellow, green, brown flowers, higher light, intermediate temperatures. aromaticaitself deciduous in spring, but sheathing leaves turn yellow in autumn. oskinneritype: leaves last 23 years, whites, pinks, reds, lower light, cool temperatures, coarser media. IdaandAnguloaGrow as forare related, often very large, with flowers resembling tulips.skinneribut with more light.Lycaste usually bloom annually and the flowers individually last for up to two weeks:  Maintainplant orientation while spikes are growing for best display.  Budsturning yellow, wilting and falling prior to opening is from not enough energy in the plant Canadian Orchid Congress to open the flower often because of high temperatures or dry air. Copyright © 2004 buds and flowers with care, as they bruise at the slightest touch. Treat

Space prevents more detail here.The general “Orchid Culture” sheets in this series, available from your society or on the web at http://www.canadianorchidcongress.ca/ provide further cultural information. Forspecific help with your orchids or further information join your local orchid society.