Laelia furfuracea

Also known as: Scurfy Laelia or in Mexico or Laelia furfuracea h.f. alba La Monjita Lirio de San Franscisco Flor de Nochebuena in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Oaxaca - Mexico

General Information

Scurfy Laelia or in Mexico is a miniature sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Mexico.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 17cm. Each new growth has a single leathery erect, rigid leaf that grows to 12cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 5cm

Flowers

Numerous long lasting, fragrant blossoms appear during Autumn

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Autumn

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Care Notes

These orchids like to be kept on the dry side, but may need to be watered daily during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered regularly.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 3mm to 170mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 55% to 75%, highest in September and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 2C to 24C, highest in April (9C to 24C) and lowest in January (2C to 18C).

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a low Nitrogen fertiliser during Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.