Bud Shadows on Outdoor L. pumila

[GardenTheater]

Orchid society had a demo on mounting orchids. So I had to try it. Got this L. pumila from SBOE about a month ago and mounted it on a tree. Then decided it wasn't getting enough sun and mounted it on redwood board so I could try it in different locations. Broke off 2 growth tips on second mounting attempt.

It's a hardy little guy...bud shadows keep getting bigger and it is suppose to tolerate temperatures down to 27F. 

One link shows mounting and the other the bud shadows.

Laelia pumila 'SanBar Sparkler' | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Laelia pumila 'SanBar Sparkler' | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Wynn Dee13]

Good news on the bud but I couldn't see any shadowing in your pics. Is the new growth's leaf opened already? In your pic it looks like it is partially open. If it is you should be able to see the bud peeking out. It is kind of weird it is blooming now. They usually don't bloom this time of year. Post pics when it blooms!

Also I wouldn't let it stay outside at 27° F. I bought a coerulea pumila once and it was sent to me during the winter and it wasn't that cold but it came to me frozen. Here is a link to the Baker's culture sheet for L. pumila. In its native habitat the average lowest temp it receives is 51°F. So if you trust the 27°F I think you will end up with a pumila popsicle. Good luck!Laelia pumila Culture

[GardenTheater]

Wynn, thanks for the culture information. SBOE keeps them outdoors and they do have occasional frosts and temps of 30F. Orchids can survive in temps outside their native range. Thats a key message from SBOE. Temp changes need to be gradual. The leaf is not open yet and the buds, are still submerged in the pbulb/"stem". This one has no sheath. Given where the buds are, it will probably bloom in late August-September.

[Wynn Dee13]

I know how pumilas bloom. I have seven of them. The bud can't be in the pbulb. They grow from where the leaf attaches to the pbulb. The leaf acts as the sheath. Most pumilas only bloom with one flower on an inflorescence. If you have a bud in the new growth you should see a bulge in the closed leaf. Here is a pic of one of my mini Catts that has a bud developing in the leaf. It isn't a pumila but it has pumila in it and the flowers come out of the leaf just like pumilas do. I hope you can see the shadow. It's hard to see in pics. That is why I probably couldn't see yours. The second pic shows the bud bulge in the lower part of the leaf.


Wynn Dee

[Wynn Dee13]

Be sure to post pics as it develops. I love Laelia pumila!

[GardenTheater]

Wynn, Nice to connect with someone with so many pumilas. Thanks for the photos. My bud is in the same place. Sorry I used the wrong terms when describing. Will post photo when it opens.

[Wynn Dee13]

Don't worry about it. I still don't know all the orchid lingo either. I learn stuff on here all the time. I looked on SBOE and saw the pumila you have and it is a very beautiful dark clone. I have their coerulea variety. I love this species since it is such a small plant with large fragrant flowers. I really want to visit SBOE in the fall to see all their pumilas in bloom. They have some gorgeous specimens. I visited them last year but in July and the pumilas were not in bloom yet. SBOE is a fun place to visit. I wish I lived closer to them like you do!

[GardenTheater]

Looking forward to photos of your coerulia when it blooms. Agree large flowers and scent on small plant is a great package. I was down to SBOE just once in the winter. Would love to go in fall. Hard to find the time. It's even a long drive from here.