Lycaste Orchid - features and care guide

Named by Lindley in 1843, the Lycaste genus, abbreviated Lyc. in horticulture, probably derives its name from that of a maenad, companion of the god Dionysus, in Greek mythology.. It includes approximately 30 species, sharing common characteristics such as large, ovoid pseudobulbs, thin, fragile, folded leaves, and considerably sized flowers resembling those of the Maxillaria genus, to which it is related, but definitely larger. Lycaste species are distributed from Mexico to the tropical region of South America.

The flowers have three petals and three sepals, with the petals usually colored yellow, white, or orange, and the sepals in yellow, orange, green, or reddish-brown. Both petals and sepals may have denser or sparser markings with red, purple, or reddish-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 some subspecies and varieties of Lycaste macrophylla. Flower size generally ranges from 5 to 10 cm, with some species, like Lycaste schilleriiana, reaching 16 to 18 cm in diameter. Some species have fragrant flowers, sometimes reminiscent of cinnamon and cloves.

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

The Deciduosae section – with species that shed their leaves during the resting period:

-The Xanthanthe subsection – with flowers ranging from yellow to orange;

-The Paradeciduosae subsection – with white flowers speckled with pink;

The Longisepalae section – with very long sepals;
The Macrophyllae section – retains leaves during the resting period;
The Fimbriatae section – features a fringed labellum.

Hybrids of Lycaste species produce remarkable flowers, sometimes several per flower spike, other times solitary but with numerous spikes emerging from the basal area of each mature pseudobulb, usually in the cold season and spring months, although many exceptions to this rule have been observed. The flowers, medium to large in size, are long-lasting and fragrant.

The Lycaste offer from Secret Garden is available here (link).

Light requirements are similar to those of species in the genus Cattleya, ranging from 20,000 to 35,000 lux, preferring slightly shaded locations during the summer months, and more exposed locations during autumn and winter.

Ideal temperature for Lycaste orchids ranges from 10–15 ℃ at night and 20–25 ℃ during the day. In summer, temperatures can be higher. However, it has been found that most species and hybrids adapt very easily to indoor conditions.

Proper humidity for Lycaste species should be between 50–70%, indicating that Lycaste orchids are among the most drought-tolerant species.

It should be noted that many Lycaste orchids common in horticultural trade are hybrids of species belonging to the Deciduosae section, which is why it is perfectly normal for them to lose their leaves when entering the dormant season. During the growing period, from March to November, Lycaste species and hybrids prefer abundant and frequent watering, requiring plenty of water for proper growth to ensure flowering. It is also normal for leaf tips to brown, especially before they fall. Watering should be stopped, with only occasional watering, at most once a month, during dormancy, returning to the normal watering schedule once new growth begins. If significant dehydration of the bulbs is observed, weekly misting should be applied.

For fertilizing orchids of the Lycaste genus, a balanced fertilizer with an NPK formula of 30–30–30 should be used, applied at every watering if planted in bark, or every 3rd or 4th watering if planted in peat moss. Fertilization should stop at the end of autumn, by the end of November, and only water should be given.

Flowering usually occurs from late winter to early spring, with large flowers 10–15 cm in diameter, on flower spikes emerging from the base of the largest pseudobulbs.

Repotting should be done after flowering has finished, using either small to medium-grain pine bark, sphagnum moss, or both, mixed with perlite. Specimens can be divided once they develop at least 6 pseudobulbs. Older pseudobulbs can also produce new growth, but sometimes this may take a longer time, approximately one year.

Lycaste Care