Description

White Hybrid Lycaste: A Delicate and Elegant Beauty

The White Hybrid Lycaste is a stunning hybrid orchid, the result of crossing different Lycaste species. Its main feature is its large and delicate flowers, with predominantly white petals and sepals, which contrast with the lip, which can have various shades and patterns.

Key Characteristics:

• Flowers: Large and showy, with waxy white petals and sepals. The lip can have various shades, such as yellow, pink or purple, and often has spots or stripes.
• Pseudobulbs: It has oval pseudobulbs that store water and nutrients.
• Leaves: The leaves emerge directly from the pseudobulbs and can be deciduous, i.e., they fall during a resting period.
• Growth Habit: Sympodial, forming new pseudobulbs from a rhizome.

Cultivation of White Hybrid Lycaste:

• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light, similar to light that passes through a curtain. Avoid direct sun exposure, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
• Temperature: Appreciates cool temperatures, with a difference between day and night of about 5 to 10°C.
• Humidity: Maintain a relative humidity between 50% and 70%. Use a humidifier or mist the plant regularly.
• Watering: Water regularly during the growth period, allowing the substrate to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering during the resting period.
• Substrate: Use a specific substrate for epiphytic orchids, with good drainage.
• Fertilization: Fertilize monthly during the growing season with a balanced orchid fertilizer, diluted to half strength.
• Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years or when the substrate is degraded.

Additional Care:

• Resting Period: Some hybrid Lycastes have a resting period, during which they lose their leaves. Reduce watering and fertilization during this period.
• Pests and Diseases: Watch for pests such as mealybugs and aphids. Treat any problems promptly.
• Flowering: Flowering usually occurs in spring or autumn, but may vary depending on the variety.

With proper care, the White Hybrid Lycaste can bloom abundantly year after year, bringing beauty and elegance to any environment.

Extra Tips for Successful Cultivation:

• Pots: Use clay or plastic pots with good drainage.
• Substrate: A mixture of pine bark, charcoal, and sphagnum moss can be a good option.
• Location: A location with good ventilation is ideal for growing Lycaste.

The White Hybrid Lycaste is an orchid that requires some special care, but its beauty is worth all the effort.