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, which share common characteristics such as large, ovoid pseudobulbs, thin, fragile, folded leaves, and considerably sized flowers, reminiscent in shape of those of the Maxillaria genus species, to which it is related, but definitely larger than them. The species of the Lycaste genus are distributed from Mexico to the tropical area of South America.

The flowers have three petals and three sepals, the petals usually colored yellow, white, or orange, while the sepals are yellow, orange, green, or reddish brown. Both petals and sepals may have denser or sparser colorations 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 is generally 5 – 10 cm, with some species, like Lycaste schilleriiana, reaching sizes of 16 – 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 spotted with pink;

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

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

Oferta de Lycaste de la Secret Garden este disponibila aici (link).

Light requirements are similar to those of species in the Cattleya genus, from 20000 – 35000 lux, preferring slightly shaded locations during the summer months, and more exposed locations during autumn and winter.

The ideal temperature for Lycaste orchids will range between 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 apartment conditions.

Adequate humidity for species of the Lycaste genus will range between 50 – 70%, which suggests 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 absolutely normal for them to lose their leaves when entering the rest season. During the growing period, from March to November, species and hybrids of the Lycaste genus prefer abundant and frequent watering, requiring a lot of water for proper growth that guarantees flowering. At the same time, it is normal for the leaf tips to brown, especially before they fall. Irrigations will be stopped, having only occasional character, at most once a month, during the rest period, and the normal watering schedule will resume once new growth initiation is observed. If severe dehydration of the bulbs is noticed, weekly misting will be applied.

For fertilizing orchids of the Lycaste genus, a balanced fertilizer with an NPK formula of 30 – 30 – 30 will be used, and the fertilizer will be applied at every watering if planted in bark, or every 3rd or 4th watering if plants are planted in peat moss. At the end of autumn, by the end of November, fertilizations will be stopped and only water will 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 will 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 it may take a longer time, about a year.

Lycaste Care