Laelia harpophylla comes from Brazil. It is found in shady humid habitats at elevations of 500 to 900 meters above sea level.
Laelia harpophylla also called as The Sickle-leaf Laelia, Bletia harpophylla, Cattleya brevicaulis, Cattleya harpophylla, Dungsia brevicaulis, Dungsia harpophylla, Hoffmannseggella brevicaulis, Hoffmannseggella harpophylla, Laelia brevicaulis, Laelia cowanii, Laelia geraensis, Laelia harpophylla var. xanthina, Laelia harpophylla f. xanthina, Sophronitis brevicaulis, Sophronitis harpophylla, is a species of the genus Laelia. This species was described by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in 1873.
IDENTIFY LAELIA HARPOPHYLLA ORCHID PLANT
Laelia harpophylla comes from Brazil. It is found in shady humid habitats at elevations of 500 to 900 meters above sea level.
It is a medium sized warm growing epiphyte with clustered, very thin, terete, 10-15 cm pseudobulbs carrying a solitary, sickle or sword shaped, 20 cm long by 3 cm wide leaf.
The Sickle-leaf Laelia blooms in the fall in Brazil and late winter and spring in northern climes on an erect, terminal, 15 cm long, several flowered, clustered at the top, racemose inflorescence subtended by a small sheath. The flowers are about 8 cm in diameter, bright orange with pointed segments and orange labellum. Apart from this striking colour, the lip has a slightly ruffled white end.
LAELIA HARPOPHYLLA ORCHID PLANT CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Laelia ghillanyi like good light but less light than other rupicolous Laelia (25000-35000 lux) with about 30-50% shade in summer but no direct sun. They require high light intensity during their dormant period in winter. They like direct morning sun but avoid afternoon light and deep shade.
Temperature:
The Sickle-leaf Laelia grows best in warm temperatures not cool. The ideal temperature is around 22⁰C. Don't let the temperature drop below 15 ⁰C or rise above 30 ⁰C. The winter temperatures are of about 12°C.
Humidity:
This species require high humidity (80%) in summer but low humidity in winter. Good air movement should be ensured all year round.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Laelia harpophylla are usually grown in pots. Some growers recommend placing pieces of sandstone in the potting mix if root growth is a problem. Always use the smallest pot possible as they dry faster and large pots increase the risk of root rot.
This species don’t like being disturbed, when they outgrow the pot some growers simply place the plant and its pot into a slightly larger pot (over pot) allowing the roots to fill the space between the two pots. Repotting may be necessary however when the bark becomes decomposed.
Watering:
The Sickle-leaf Laelia should receive regular watering during the warmer summer and autumn months, preferably daily in hot weather. They require less water than other rupicolous Laelia (no more than twice a week).
Fertilizer:
Liquid fertilizers should be applied regularly during the growing season but not in winter. Some growers recommend a low nitrogen but high phosphorus fertilizer in late summer and autumn. Liquid seaweed fertilizer can also be applied.
Rest period:
Laelia harpophylla have a little to no dormancy period in winter. Fertilization should be limited or should be completely abandoned until spring, when stronger watering resumes. In the natural habitat, the light is strongest in the dry winter period, so the plants grown need as much winter light as possible.
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