Rhyncholaelia digbyana

Also known as: Digby's Beaked Laelia or Laelia digbyana h.v. mossiae Rhyncholaelia digbyana h.f. alba Laelia digbyana var. fimbripetala Brassavola digbyana var. fimbripetala Rhyncholaelia digbyana f. fimbripetala in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Belize Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua

General Information

Digby's Beaked Laelia is a medium sized sympodial warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It is named after the English Orchid Enthusiast in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 35cm. Each new growth has a single leathery thick, erect, rigid, elliptic leaf that grows to 5-20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 15cm

Flowers

A single long lasting, fragrant blossom appears

Fragrance

The orchid is most fragrant during the night.

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark

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 low elevations. Rainfall ranges from 46mm to 335mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 78% to 83%, highest in June and lowest in October. Temperature ranges from 19C to 31C, highest in August (24C to 31C) and lowest in January (19C to 27C).

Watering

These orchids are sensitive to excessive watering and should only be watered when they look thirsty. Water infrequently and ensure that the roots are dry before watering. Keep an eye on them especially during hot weather as overwatering can lead to rot, whereas underwatering may result in wilting or shriveling, which while unattractive, will not kill the plant.

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

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.

Use balanced fertiliser year round. Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a low Nitrogen fertiliser year round. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser year round.

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 well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.