Laelia mantiqueirae

Also known as: The Mantiqueira Laelia in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Brazil

General Information

The Mantiqueira Laelia is a sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil. It is named after the Brazilian Mountain Range.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 12cm. Each new growth has a single leathery leaf that grows to 20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 5-10cm

Flowers

Numerous blossoms appear during Spring

Blooming Season

• Spring

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.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 10mm to 318mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 68% to 77%, highest in July and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 8C to 25C, highest in September (16C to 25C) and lowest in January (8C to 22C).

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 during Spring and Summer. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and 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 Repotting is best done in a pot the same size or only slightly larger than the previous one.