Lycaste

Light requirements vary. Deciduous species require light of 21,500 - 43,000 lumens (2,000 to 4,000 foot-candles) or 50 to 70 percent shade. More light is usually provided as new growths form pseudobulbs.

• In a greenhouse, evergreen species grow best with less light - 60 to 80 percent shade.
• Indoors, evergreen species need about 16,125 - 21,500 lumens (1,500 to 2,000 foot-candles).

Temperature for the evergreen species should be fairly constant and never hot. Nights of 60F (15.6C) and days of 70F to 80F (21.1C to 26.7C) are desirable. The deciduous species of Lycaste can tolerate a wider range, up to 95F (35C) during the day and down to 50F (10C) at night when dormant in winter.

Water should be applied freely during active growth (usually summer). The potting medium should begin to dry out between waterings. Deciduous species should be kept almost completely dry when leafless; evergreen species should be kept only slightly drier than normal after pseudobulbs form. Water should be kept off the leaves and especially out of the new growths to prevent rot or leaf spotting, which disfigure otherwise handsome plants.

Humidity should be maintained at 40% to 70%. Deciduous species need less humidity when dormant. Brisk air circulation will help prevent damage to leaves by leafspot fungi.

• In a greenhouse, air should always be moving around the plants to prevent fungal or bacterial disease, especially if high humidity or cool and wet conditions exist.

Fertilize regularly and heavily when plants are actively growing. A higher nitrogen formulation (such as 30-10-10) is recommended during active growth (usually summer). In autumn or as growths mature and pseudobulbs are produced, fertilizer is reduced or switched to a high-phosphorus (such as 10-30-20) formulation to stimulate flower production.

Potting is best when new growth starts, usually in the spring. A fine-grade potting medium is often used; fir bard and perlite (3:1) is a common, fast-draining mix. When repotting, split plants into no less than two pseudobulbs per pot and choose a container to allow for two years of growth. The plant should be positioned in the vessel so that the newest growths are farthest away from the edge of the pot, allowing the maximum number of new growths without crowding the pot. Spread the roots over a cone of potting medium and fill in around the roots and the pseudobulbs. Push the medium firmly around the roots. Keep humidity high and the potting medium on the dry side until new roots form.

Lycaste Culture

Further information can be found on the Lycaste genus page.

Best orchid care practices are also provided for watering, repotting, and fertilizer types. There are also detailed discussions of growing orchids indoors, outdoors, or in greenhouses.

For more information on genus name changes, see Taxonomy.