Lycaste (Ida) ciliata in bloom

[smweaver]

One open flower and three swelling buds on this plant. First time growing (and flowering) this species for me and I'm quite happy with it. Even though only one of the flowers has opened this week, it's very waxy and very nicely fragrant during the evening.

Steve

[Frdemetr]

Steve,
Congrats, nice Lycaste! I like these ones with deciduous leaves, the blooming plant becomes weird!

[philoserenus]

pretty they are indeed, are these hard to grow in the house?

[smweaver]

It spent the summer outdoors, Nick, and didn't seem to mind the heat and humidity. I did keep it in a fairly shady spot, though, where it got around the same light levels as a Phalaenopsis would enjoy. However, since it's from the Andes, I would imagine that you (being in a more northerly location) would be able to do a lot better with it. It did seem to like lots of water and fertilizer when it was forming the newest growth (the one that's currently flowering), and I'm giving it a lot more light now that the sweltering heat has gone away. Give it a shot. The fragrant flowers are worth it.

Steve

[tuvoc]

Very nice, Steve. Beautiful, subtle coloring.

Kim

[philoserenus]

thanks steve, maybe i'll give it a try. im gonna be attending my first orchid show in february, so i'll see wat i'll get my hands on, there just seems to be soooo many to consider

[stitz]

Steve, That's a really nice first flowering! I hope to follow. I just acquired a Lyc ciliata from Ecuagenera about 3 months ago. Unfortunately, the lead was already half-rotted on receipt. There are also two "fat" pseudobulbs. I look forward to getting a healthy lead, next spring. Do you have any predictions as to how long I should expect before it's capable of flowering ?

--Stitz--

[smweaver]

Stitz, can you describe the size of your plant or post a picture? I'm by no means an expert, and this is my first Ida to flower (most of my Lycastes are the yellow-flowered, Central American species: aromatica, cruenta, bradeorum and macrobulbon), but it's not a huge plant after the leaves fall (the leaves, before they were discarded, were around two feet long by five inches wide). If you'd like to see better pics' of the flowers and plant (since this site restricts the size of jpeg files), go ahead and shoot me an email: stephenmweaver@yahoo.com.

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by stitz

Steve, That's a really nice first flowering! I hope to follow. I just acquired a Lyc ciliata from Ecuagenera about 3 months ago. Unfortunately, the lead was already half-rotted on receipt. There are also two "fat" pseudobulbs. I look forward to getting a healthy lead, next spring. Do you have any predictions as to how long I should expect before it's capable of flowering ?

--Stitz--

Coincidence or not, I got mine from Ecuagenera months ago and it arrived with the new lead rotted too. Can you believe they sent it wrapped in humid newspaper sheets?!!!! Of course it would rot! It is recovering now, a small new lead has appeared. Let's see!

[stitz]

Mauro, That's precisely what happened to me! Every year, Ecuagenera comes to a Show which is within driving distance. Two times, I purchased, in person. The plants were in perfect condition. In the future, I will limit my purchases to purchases at shows, only. If it looks great--they get my money!

--Stitz--