Named by Lindley in 1843, genus Lycaste, abbreviated Lyc. in horticulture, probably derives its name from that of a maenad, companion of the god Dionysus, from Greek mythology . It includes approximately 30 species, whose common characteristics are large, ovoid pseudobulbs, thin, fragile, folded leaves, and flowers of considerable size, reminiscent of the shape of the species of the Maxillaria genus, to which it is related, but categorically larger than these. The species of the genus Lycaste are distributed from Mexico to the tropical area of ​​South America.

The flowers have three petals and three sepals, the petals being usually colored in yellow, white or orange, and the petals in yellow, orange, green or red-brown. Both the petals and the sepals can have denser or rarer colors with red, purple or red-brown spots. The labellum can be similar to the other two petals, as in the case of Lycaste aromatica or Lycaste brevispatha species, or distinctly colored, as in the case of some subspecies and varieties of Lycaste macrophylla. The size of the flowers is generally 5-10 cm, with some species, like Lycaste schilleriiana, which can reach sizes of 16-18 cm in diameter. Some species have fragrant flowers, sometimes reminiscent of cinnamon and cloves.

The genus Lycaste is divided into 4 sections, one of which has two subsections:

• Section Deciduosae - with species whose leaves fall during the rest period:

- Subsection Xanthanthe - with yellow to orange flowers

-Subsection Paradeciduosae – with white flowers sprinkled with pink;

• Section Longisepalae – with very long sepals;
• Section Macrophyllae - keeps the leaves during the rest period;
• Section Fimbriatae – presents labeum with fringes.

Hybrids of Lycaste species produce special flowers, sometimes several per flower stem, sometimes solitary, but with numerous stems, emerging from the basal area of ​​each mature pseudobulb, usually in the cold season and in the spring months, but numerous deviations have been observed from this rule. The flowers, of medium and large size, are persistent for a long time and fragrant.

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The light requirements are similar to those of Cattleya species, 20,000 - 35,000 lux, preferring slightly shaded locations during the summer months, and the most exposed locations during autumn and winter.

The ideal temperature for Lycaste orchids will fall within the range of 10-15 ℃ during the night and 20-25 ℃ during the day. During the summer, temperatures can be higher. However, it was found that most species and hybrids adapt very easily to apartment conditions.

The appropriate humidity for Lycaste species will be in the range of 50-70%, which suggests that Lycaste orchids are among the most drought-tolerant species.

It should be remembered that many examples of orchids from the genus Lycaste common in the horticultural trade are hybrids of species belonging to the section Deciduosae, which is why it is absolutely normal for them to lose their leaves when entering the rest season . During the growth period, from March to November, the species and hybrids of the Lycaste genus prefer abundant and frequent watering, needing a lot of water for adequate growth, which guarantees flowering. At the same time, it is normal for the tips of the leaves to brown, especially before they fall. Irrigation will be stopped, having only an occasional character, maximum once a month, during the rest period, then returning to the normal watering schedule once the initiation of new growth is observed. If a pronounced dehydration of the bulbs is observed, weekly sprays will be used.

For fertilizing Lycaste orchids, a balanced fertilizer will be used, with a 30-30-30 NPK formula, and the administration of the fertilizer will be done with every watering, in the case of planting in the bark, or every 3rd or 4- watering, if the plants are planted in peat moss. At the end of autumn, with the end of November, fertilization will be stopped and only water will be administered.

Blooms usually take place from late winter to early spring, with large flowers, 10-15 cm in diameter, on floral stems that emerge from the base of the largest pseudobulbs.

The replanting will be carried out after the completion of flowering, using for this purpose either small to medium grain pine bark, in sphagnum moss, or both, in a mixture with perlite. Specimens can be divided once they develop at least 6 pseudobulbs. Old pseudobulbs can also produce new growth, but sometimes it is possible to last a longer time, about a year.

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