Laelia superbiens

Also known as: Supurb Schomburgkia or in Guatemala or Laelia superbiens h.f. alba Schomburgkia superbiens h.f. alba Schomburgkia superbiens h.v. quesnelliana Laelia superbiens var. decorata Laelia superbiens var. quesneliana in Mexico - Flor de la Candelaria or Tanal in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Chiapas - Mexico Guatemala Nicaragua Oaxaca - Mexico

General Information

Supurb Schomburgkia or in Guatemala is a sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua. It is named after the Wand of St. Joseph.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 50-75cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery thick, erect, rigid, lance shaped, oblong shaped leaves that grow to 5-30cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 20-45cm

Flowers

Numerous long lasting, fragrant blossoms appear during Autumn and Spring

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Spring

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark

Care Notes

This orchid goes into a dormancy phase during winter, during this phase it is best not to provide water unless the plant is starting to look thirsty. The lack of water increases the chance of flowering in spring, and also reduces the likelihood of any rot forming. Do not resume watering until new growth has appeared and is growing strongly.

Often a period of intense growth occurs after dormancy. During this time the amount of light, water and fertiliser the plant receives will directly impact the amount of growth that occurs during this time, and in the case of seedlings, will reduce the time required to reach maturity.

It's recommended to heavily reduce the water amount at the middle to end of autumn to trigger dormancy. Leaves on older bulbs will begin to drop during this time while the newer bulbs continue to mature until terminal leaves appear at the tip of the pseudobulbs.

Repotting can be done any time of the year though it's best to do it in early spring when new growth is appearing as this also means new roots will appear to help the plant anchor into the new media and offset any damage to established roots during the repotting process.

 

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 1mm to 165mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in January. Temperature ranges from 7C to 26C, highest in April (13C to 26C) and lowest in January (7C to 21C).

Watering

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

Fertiliser

dormant-medium-demand-orchid 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 Repotting is best done annually.