Laelia perrinii

Laelia perrinii

Native to: Brazil. Laelia perrinii is common in the coastal rain forests of Espirito Sactu and Rio de Janiero where it grows on trees and cliff faces between 1200 and 3000 feet. Laelia perrinii is found growing in the Serra do Mar and in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains.

Plant Size: Medium. Laelia perrinii resembles a unifoliate Cattleya. Compressed, oblong pseudobulbs can grow to 10 inches in height and have one oblong leathery leaf with a rounded tip. Foliage is green, but the new growth is unusually bronze-colored.

Flower Size: 5 inches (12.5 cm)

Flower Description: Fragrant. Laelia perrinii has star-shaped flowers with a colored lip. The petals are broad towards the tips and flat. The lip is small in proportion to the other floral segments and has a distinctive white throat. Flower color is lavender-purple with a crimson-purple blotch on the midlobe. The flower spike produces 2 to 6 flowers on a 10 inch spike.

Bloom Season: Fall, Winter

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: Grow like a cattleya. Laelia perrinii needs bright white, especially in the winter. Some growers hang the Laelia perrinii close to the glass to meet its hunger for foot candles. Water and fertilize heavily while in active growth. Less water is required during the cooler months. Provide good air circulation to prevent fungal problems and keep the foliage cool. Grow in an open, organic growing medium that is suitable for cattleyas and repot infrequently.
Laelia perrinii is closely related to Laelia purpurata, Laelia lobata and Laelia tenebrosa. There are semi-alba (white with colored lip) and blue forms (var. coerulea) available.

Synonyms: Amalia perrinii; Bletia perrinii; Cattleya intermedia var angustifolia; Cattleya integerrima var angustifolia; Cattleya perrinii; Hadrolaelia perrinii; Sophronitis perrinii