Leptotes unicolor

Leptotes unicolor

Native to: Leptotes unicolor is native to Brazil where it is found growing in filtered light in forests on branches of trees.

Plant Size: Miniture. The thick, fleshy leaves of Leptotes unicolor only grow to 1.5 inches (4 cm) tall. The plants grow in a pendulous fashion.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm). Big in proportion to the plant.

Flower Description: The flowers of Leptotes unicolor are white with violet lips. The flowers are usually cupped and may not open fully.

Bloom Season: Spring. Sometimes Leptotes unicolor blooms again in the fall.

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: Leptotes unicolor is best grown mounted on driftwood, cork, or tree fern plaques so that it may grow pendulously. Provide ample water during periods of active growth. This species requires less light than cattleyas and needs high humidity. Easy to grow.

Synonyms: Get names

Leptotes tenuis

Leptotes tenuis

Native to: Leptotes tenuis is native to misty forests in southern Brazil where it grows on trees.

Plant Size: Miniture. Leptotes tenuis has cylindrical pseudobulbs and fleshy, narrow leaves.

Flower Size: 0.66 inches (1.5 cm)

Flower Description: The flowers of Leptotes tenuis are fragrant. The flower stem grows above the foliage and bears one or two flowers. The flowers are pendent.

Bloom Season: Winter or Spring

Growing Temperature: Cool to Warm (adaptable)

Additional Information: Due to its pendulous growth habit, Leptotes tenuis needs to be mounted on tree fern. Provide bright, filtered light and lots of humidity. Provide ample water during periods of active growth.
Synonyms: Leptotes minuta; Tetramicra minuta

Leptotes pauloensis

Leptotes pauloensis

Common Name: Sao Paulo Leptotes
Native to: Brazil. Leptotes pauloensis grows on trees.

Plant Size: Miniture.
Flower Size: Small.
Flower Description: Flowers are small and do not open fully.
Bloom Season: Late Summer to Fall.
Growing Temperature: Intermediate

Additional Information: Leptotes pauloensis is a very rare and seldom grown species. If you have experience with this species, please send me an e-mail with some information and I will gladly update this page.
Synonyms: None

Leptotes bohnkianum

Leptotes bohnkianum

Native to: place
Plant Size: size
Flower Size: size
Flower Description: description
Bloom Season: season
Growing Temperature: temp
Additional Information: something interesting
Synonyms: Get names

Leptotes bicolor

Leptotes bicolor

Common Name: Bicolored Leptotes

Native to: Leptotes bicolor grows on trees in subtropical forests near the coast from southern Brazil to Paraguay between 500 to 900 meters.

Plant Size: Miniture. Overall, the plant resembles a miniture Brassavola nodosa in appearance.The leaves of Leptotes bicolor are thick, fleshy, and pencil-like. The pseudobulbs are covered in dry sheaths and are cylindrical. The leaf has a grove on the top side.

Flower Size: 1.5 to 2 inches (3.5-5 cm)

Flower Description: The flowers of Leptotes bicolor are large in proportion to the plant. The 0.75 inch flower stem produces between 1 and 3 flowers and the flowers open one at a time which extends the blooming period. Flowers are white with magenta lips.

Bloom Season: late winter to early spring. Sometimes well-grown plants bloom in the spring and fall.

Growing Temperature: Cool to Warm (Cattleya temperatures are fine)

Additional Information: Grow Leptotes bicolor mounted on tree fern or cork bark. Provide bright light (brighter than Cattleya light) and high humidity. Water frequently to keep it from drying out completely. They rapidly form small clumps when their needs are met.
The seed capsules of Leptotes bicolor are used to flavor some types of ice cream in South America.

Synonyms: Bletia bicolor; Leptotes glaucophylla; Leptotes serrulata; Tetramicra bicolor; Tetramicra serrulata

Rhyncholaelia glauca

Rhyncholaelia glauca

Common Name: Glaucous Beaked Laelia

Native to: Guatemala, Mexico. Rhyncholaelia glauca grows on trees in mountain forests from near sea level to 1500 meters. The original plants were discovered growing near Veracruz, Mexico.

Plant Size: Medium to short. The twisted, fleshy pseudobulbs grow about 12 inches (30 cm) tall and have one fleshy leaf on the top. Rhyncholaelia glauca resembles a small to medium sized unifoliate Cattleya. The pseudobulbs have dried sheaths protecting them from the sun.

Flower Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Flower Description: The flower of Rhyncholaelia glauca has apple green petals and a white, heart-shaped lip. The margin of the lip is complete, not heavily fringed like Rhyncholaelia digbyana. Occasionally, some flowers will have a pink color. Flowers are very fragrant and have a sweet scent. Flowers have a heavy waxy substance and are long-lived. Flowers emerge from a new growth and have a 4 inch (10 cm) flower stem that produces one flower.

Bloom Season: Late Spring to Summer

Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: This plant grows best mounted on cork bark, tree fern plaques, or slatted baskets. Provide high light and good air circulation. The roots need to dry between watering. Few hybrids have been made using this species.

This species was thought to be a Cattleya species until it flowered when it was first imported to England.

Synonyms: Bletia glauca; Brassavola glauca; Laelia glauca

Rhyncholaelia digbyana

Rhyncholaelia digbyana

Common Name: Digby's Beaked Laelia

Native To: Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras. Rhyncholaelia digbyana is found growing in sunny locations on the Yucatan peninsula. They grow in tangles of brush and are exposed to a lot of sun and air circulation. One author reports that they can be seen growing on the side of the road on the way to Chichen Itza. It has been reported that they are found growing on bushes and among thorny acacia plants in dry areas of Central America.

Plant Size: Medium. Rhyncholaelia digbyana resembles a medium-sized unifoliate Cattleya. The pseudobulbs are stiff and dark green and the foliage is dark green with silver flushes. Sometimes the undersides of the leaves and pseudobulbs are flushed with maroon.

Flower Size: 7 inches (17 cm)

Flower Description: The large flowers are apple green to a greenish cream in color. The lip is impressively frilly and quite distinctive. Rhyncholaelia digbyana var. fimbripetala has frilly petals in addition to the lip. Sometimes there is a picote edge on the lip and a magenta flush on the back side of petals. The plants are quite fragrant at night. Turning on the light will cause the plant to temporarily stop perfume production until darkness commences again. The plant usually produces a single flower from a large sheath. Sometimes two flowers are produced, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

Bloom Season: May to August

Growing Temperature: Intermediate, Warm

Additional Information: Rhyncholaelia digbyana needs bright light, intermediate growing temperatures and good air circulation. Although it may be grown successfuly in well drained pots, the plants grow best when mounted on cork or grown in slatted wood or plastic baskets. Rhyncholaelia digbyana is slow to recover from repotting or other tramatic disturbances and may take a year or more to begin new growth. Let the plant dry out between watering to prevent rotting.

Rhyncholaleia digbyana is frequently used to create complex Cattleya hybrids where it is used to bring its fantastic frilly lip to the genetic mix. Sometimes it is used to add a picote edge to the lip in hybrids with other genera. The color of the other parent is dominant in hybrids. The first successful hybrid with this species was flowered in 1889 between Rhyncholaelia digbyana and Cattleya mossiae and was called BC. digbyano-mossiae.

Synonyms: Bletia digbiyana; Brassavola digbyana; Brassavola digbyana var. fimbripetala; Cattleya digbyana; Laelia digbyana; Laelia digbyana var. fimbripetala; Rhyncholaelia digbyanan f. fimbripetala

Schomburgkia weberbaueriana

Schomburgkia weberbaueriana


Common Name: Weberbauer's Schomburgkia
Native to: Schomburgkia weberbaueriana is native to wet mountainous in Peru where it is found growing around 1300 meters in elevation on trees and rocks.
Plant Size: Large. Schomburgkia weberbaueriana has large, tall pseudobulbs with a few long leaves. The plants can form large colonies with time.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Schomburgkia weberbaueriana are produced on a tall flower spike. Few to several flowers bloom near the tip. The petals and sepals are narrow and twisted.
Bloom Season: Late Spring
Growing Temperature: Intermediate, Warm
Additional Information: Schomburgkia weberbaueriana is another large plant with a tall inflorescence. The flowers are intersting and large plants become impressive specimens. The species was named for a German botanist who was active in the early twentieth century.
Synonyms: Laelia weberbaueriana

Schomburgkia wallisii

Schomburgkia wallisii


Common Name: Wallis' Schomburgkia
Native to: Schomburgkia wallisii is found growing in mountainous forests in Colombia and Venezuela. It grows on tree trunks or boulders.
Plant Size: Large. Schomburgkia wallisii has tall, cylindrical pseudobulbs that become rough-textured with age. Each pseudobulb has one or two tongue-shaped leaves.
Flower Size: Medium
Flower Description: The flowers of Schomburgkia wallisii are clustered at the end of a 16 inch (45 cm) long inflorescence. Flowers are tawny-gold to brown in color. Mature growths produce between 6 and 12 flowers.
Bloom Season: Spring
Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm
Additional Information: Schomburgkia wallisii is closely related to Schomburgkia undulate but shares a different geographic distribution and differs in minor floral details.
Synonyms: Bletia wallisii; Cattleya wallisii; Laelia wallisii

Schomburgkia undulata

Schomburgkia undulata

Common Name: Undulate Schomburgkia Orchid

Native to: Schomburgkia undulata is native to Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad and Venezuela. It is found growing near the Pacific coast on large trees or boulders in strong light between 600 and 1200 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Large. The tapered, shiny pseudobulbs of Schomburgkia undulata carry two or three rigid leaves. Schomburgkia undulata can grow to become a massive specimen with time.

Flower Size: 2 inches (5 cm)

Flower Description: Twenty or so short-lived flowers are clustered at the end of a two to six foot long flower spike. The flowers of Schomburgkia undulata are unusually wavy and undulate. Usually fragrant.

Bloom Season: Fall to Spring

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: Grow Schomburgkia undulata in a slatted wood basket or mounted on driftwood or cork bark. Provide ample water when new growth begins and reduce watering when the pseudobulbs mature. Provide bright light (brighter than average Cattleya conditions).

Synonyms: Bletia excelsa; Bletia undulata; Cattleya undulata; Laelia undulata; Schomburgkia lueddemannii; Schomburgkia quesneliana; Schomburgkia violacea

Schomburgkia superbiens

Schomburgkia superbiens

Common Name: Supurb Schomburgkia

Native to: Schomburgkia superbiens is found growing in rain forests in the mountains of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. It grows on trees or rocks in moist forests. The plants form large colonies.

Plant Size: Large. The tall pseudobulbs form tight, expansive colonies. Each growth has between one and three leaves.

Flower Size: 5 inches (12.5 cm)

Flower Description: Fragrant. The flowers of Schomburgkia superbiens are large and last for a long time on the plant. The flower spike grows to 48 inches (1.2 meters) in height and has between 7 and 12 flowers clustered at the end. Flowers are lavender in color and havy wavy, undulated petals.

Bloom Season: Late Fall to Early Winter

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: Schomburgkia superbiens is a large species and is easy to grow and can make a truley impressive specimen plant with multiple growths in bloom for a long time in the Fall and Winter. Grow in a slatted wood basket, clay pot, or mounted on driftwood or cork. Schomburgkia superbiens needs room to grow and lots of bright light. Water frequently when in active growth. This species grows well in south Florida.

Some people still consider this species to be a Laelia and it is frequently listed as Laelia superbiens.

Synonyms: Amalia superbiens; Bletia superbiens; Cattleya superbiens; Laelia superbiens

Schomburgkia splendida

Schomburgkia splendida

Common Name: The Splendid Schomburgkia

Native to: Columbia and Equador. Schomburgkia splendida is found growing in full sun near rivers in dry, mountainous forests. It grows on rocks or low trees.

Plant Size: Schomburgkia splendida is a large plant. The pseudobulbs are jointed and erect and have a few leathery leaves.

Flower Size: 3 to 4 inches (10 cm)

Flower Description: The flowers of Schomburgkia splendida are pink, waxy, and long-lived. The 40 inch (1 meter) flower spike of Schomburgkia splendida produces up to 10 flowers.

Bloom Season: Summer to Winter

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: Schomburgkia splendida prefers warm, bright growing conditions and does well mounted on wood or grown in slatted wood baskets. Fertilize during active growth. There are yellow and white color forms of this species in addition to the typical pink variety.

Synonyms: Laelia spendida

Schomburgkia sawyeri

Schomburgkia sawyeri


Common Name: Sawyer's Schomburgkia
Native to: Mexico. Schomburgkia sawyeri is found in the Mexican states of Guerrero and Morelos on the Pacific Coast. It has been found growing at 1500 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Large. The tall pseudobulbs of Schomburgkia sawyeri have one or two leaves.
Flower Size: size
Flower Description: The flowers of Schomburgkia sawyeri are borne on a 5 foot (1.5 m) long erect to arching flower spike. Each growth can produce between 3 and 20 flowers.
Bloom Season: Summer
Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm
Additional Information: Grow Schomburgkia sawyeri mounted or in a slatted wood basket. Schomburgkia sawyeri needs bright light to flower well.
Synonyms: Laelia sawyeri

Schomburgkia rosea

Schomburgkia rosea

Common Name: The Rosey Schomburgkia

Native to: Columbia. Schomburgkia rosea grows on rocks and trees at low elevations in coastal Columbia. Its prefers to grow near rivers.

Plant Size: Large. Plant form is typical for the genus Schomburgkia. The plant has heavy, club-like pseudobulbs with two (sometimes three) leaves.

Flower Size: Small

Flower Description: Schomburgkia rosea has rose colored flower petals and sepals. The flowers are clustered at the tip of a long inflorescence.

Bloom Season: Spring

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Provide bright light for Schomburgkia rosea. Like other members of the genus Schomburgkia, it prefers to grow on mounts or in slatted wood baskets.

Synonyms: Bletia rosea

Schomburgkia moyobambae

Schomburgkia moyobambae

Native to: Bolivia and Peru.

Plant Size: Large. Schomburgkia moyobambae is a large plant with fusiform pseudobulbs. Each growth has two tongue-shaped dark green leaves.

Flower Size: 1.5 inches (4 cm)

Flower Description: Schomburgkia moyobambae has rose colored petals and sepals. Many flowers are clustered at the tip of a 36 inch (1 m) long arching flower spike. Mature plants can have 20 to 25 flowers on each blooming growth.

Bloom Season: Spring

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Schomburgkia moyobambae is a warm to hot growing species that needs a slatted wood basket or driftwood mount for best results. Water daily during the summer and periods of active growth, less in winter. Provide more light than Cattleya orchids prefer. Robust.

Synonyms: Laelia moyobambae

Schomburgkia lyonsii

Schomburgkia lyonsii

Common Name: Lyon's Schomburgkia

Native to: Cuba and Jamaica. Schomburgkia lyonsii is found growing on exposed rocks in dry upland forests and valleys from sea level to 800 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Large. The erect pseudobulbs of Schomburgkia lyonsii are tall and cylidrical to tappered and have two or three leaves.

Flower Size: 1.5 inches (3.75 cm)

Flower Description: The smallish flowers of Schomburgkia lyonsii are clustered near the end of a long, arching inflorescence.

Bloom Season: Spring

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Schomburgkia lyonsii is a lesser know species of the genus Schomburkgia. Grow on driftwood or cork plaques or slatted wood baskets. Mature plants get to be quite large. In nature, they are exposed to strong sunlight. Provide bright light in cultivation with air movement to keep the foliage from burning. Mature plants can become impressive specimens.

Synonyms: Bletia lyonsii; Laelia lyonsii; Scomburgkia carinata; Schomburgkia lyonsii var. immaculata

Schomburgkia fimbriata

Schomburgkia fimbriata

Common Names: Glorious Schomburgkia, The Fringed Schomburgkia

Native to: Schomburgkia fimbriata is native to Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam, Colombia and Ecuador where it is found growing at low elevations (200-900 meters).

Plant Size: Large. Schomburgkia fimbriata has two leaves and tall, compressed, jointed pseudobulbs. The plant is somewhat similar to Schomburgkia crispa.

Flower Size: 2 to 2.5 inches (6 cm)

Flower Description: The flowers of Schomburgkia fimbriata are clustered at the end of a 4 foot (120 cm) long erect or arching inflorescence. The waxy flowers are short-lived and have attractively twisted petals and sepals. A mature plant will produce between 8 and 15 flowers on a mature pseudobulb. Showy.

Bloom Season: Fall to early Winter

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: This is a large plant with an impressive (if short-lived) floral display. Grow it in a slatted wood basket, clay pot, or mounted on driftwood or cork. Schomburgkia fimbriata needs high light and lots of fresh air. Let the plant or mount dry before watering again.

Synonyms: Bletia crispina; Epidendrum fimbriatum; Schomburgkia amazonica

Schomburgkia crispa

Schomburgkia crispa

Common Name: The Curled Schomburgkia

Native to: Schomburgkia crispa is found growing high up in trees where it received nearly full sunlight and breezes throughout the day. Schomburgkia crispa is found growing in Venezuela, Surinam, Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador.

Plant Size: Large. The elongated pseudobulbs of Schomburgkia crispa are topped with 2 or 3 leathery leaves.

Flower Size: Medium.

Flower Description: Schomburgkia crispa has beautiful glossy maroon flowers with heavily undulated petals. The lip is narrow and lighter in color with a yellow triangular blotch near the tip. Many flowers are clustered at the end of a very tall erect or arching flower spike.

Bloom Season: Summer, Fall

Growing Temperature: Warm to Intermediate

Additional Information: Schomburgkia crispa was the first species of Schomburgkia to be described and is the type species for the genus. Schomburgkia crispa grows best mounted on a strudy hardwood mount or in large slotted baskets. Provide as much light as possible; schomburgkia's require more light than most cattleya orchids to flower.

Synonyms: Bletia crispina; Bletia gloriosa; Bletia marginata; Cattleya crispa; Cattleya marginata; Laelia gloriosa; Laelia marginata; Schomburgkia crispa var. alba; Schomburgkia marginata; Schomburgkia marginata var immarginata

Brassavola venosa

Brassavola venosa

Common Name: The Veined Lip Brassavola

Native to: Brassavola venosa is found growing at low elevations from Costa Rica to Honduras. It grows on trees in dry forest environments below 350 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Small to Medium.

Flower Size: 4.75 inches (11 cm)

Flower Description: The flower of Brassavola venosa is very similar to Brassavola nodosa. This species has raised veins or ridges on the lip to differentiate it.

Bloom Season: Spring. Sometimes Brassavola venosa blooms twice per year.

Growing Temperature: Warm, Intermediate

Additional Information: This species is closely related to Brassavola nodosa and can be grow in a similar manner. Grow on plaques or mounts and provide bright light and good air circulation. Water heavily during the growing season and reduce watering during cooler months. Easy to grow.

Synonyms: Bletia venosa; Brassavola nodosa var. venosa

Brassavola tuberculata

Brassavola tuberculata

Common Name: Rough or Tuberculated Brassavola
Native to: Brassavola tuberculata is native to Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia where it grows on trees in the hot, humid savannahs.

Plant Size: Medium. Brassavola tuberculata has narrow, cylindrical pseudobulbs and narrow, terete leaves. Stems are somewhat pendent.

Flower Size: 2.5 inches to 3 inches

Flower Description: The petals and sepals are green in color. The lip is white with a solid margin.

Bloom Season: Late Spring, Early Summer

Growing Temperature: Warm, Intermediate

Additional Information: Brassavola tuberculata grows best mounted on cork bark mounts. Provide lots of water during the growing season and less during the winter.

Synonyms: Bletia tuberculata; Brassavola fragrans; Brassavola gibbsiana; Brassavola trinervis; Brassavola tuberculata; Tulexis bicolor

Brassavola retusa

Brassavola retusa


Common Name: Retuse Brassavola
Native to: Brazil and Peru. Brassavola retusa grows on trees.
Plant Size: Medium. Slender, fleshy leaves of Brassavola retusa grow on top of narrow pseudobulbs. Leaves are narrow and dark green.
Flower Size: Medium
Flower Description: The flowers of Brassavola retusa have narrow, greenish petals and sepals and a broad white lip. Flowers are fragrant.
Bloom Season: Fall
Growing Temperature: Intermediate, Warm
Additional Information: The nomenclature of Brassavola retusa is in flux right now. More will be posted when I can figure it all out.
Synonyms: Bletia retusa; Brassavola revoluta

Brassavola perrinii

Brassavola perrinii

Common Name: Perrin's Brassavola

Native to: Brassavola perrinii is found growing in Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina.

Plant Size: Small to Medium. Brassavola perinii is pendent and the leaves and pseudobulbs droop. The leaves are fleshy and terete and the pseudobulbs are narrow and cylindrical.

Flower Size: 2.5 to 5 inches

Flower Description: The flowers of Brassavola perinii are star-shaped with narrow, pointed olive green petals and sepals. The lip is white and broad and heart-shaped. Flowrs are fragrant. Flowers of Brassavola perrinii grow on a short flower spike and three to six flowers bloom on each inflorescence.

Bloom Season: Spring, Summer

Growing Temperature: Warm to Hot

Additional Information: This species is quite attractive and grows well mounted on cork, wood, or tree fern plaques. Provide ample water and fertilizer during the growing season and reduce water during the cooler winter months. Provide bright light, good air circulation, and high humidity.

Synonyms: Brassavola fragrans

Brassavola nodosa

Brassavola nodosa

Common Name: Lady of the Night

Native to: Brassavola nodosa is native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Venezuela. It is quite common along the Gulf Coast of Mexico where it is found growing below 500 meters. This species is also found growing on the Pacific Coast of the Mexican state of Chiapas. Trees, mangroves, and coastal cliffs are where the plants are found growing. There is a pronounced winter dry season.

Plant Size: Medium. The pseudobulbs are slender and have fleshy terete leaves that are shallowly notched. Pseudobulbs grow to 6 inches (15 cm) tall and the overall height of the plant reaches up to 18 inches (45 cm). Leaves grow 4 inches to 12 inches long (10-30 cm) and are quite narrow.

Flower Size: 3.5 inches (8 cm)

Flower Description: Fragrant at night. The flowers of Brassavola nodosa has narrow, pointed petals and sepals that are olive green. The lip is white and heart-shaped with a non-frilly margin. Flowers are fragrant at night. The 6 inch (15 cm) flower spike produces between one and six long-lasting flowers.

Bloom Season: Spring. Sometimes twice a year.

Growing Temperature: Warm, Intermediate

Additional Information: Brassavola nodosa is an easy-to-grow orchid that is great for beginners and rewarding for experienced growers. Medium to bright light is required (2500-3500 footcandles). Provide high humidity and good air circulation. Brassavola nodosa is best grown mounted on wood, cork plaques, or tree fern mounts. Provide ample water and fertilizer during the growing season and cut back water during the winter.
This species has been extensively used in producing easy-to-grow hybrids. Many people start off with this species and its hybrids because they are easy to grow and flower more than once a year.

Synonyms: Bletia nodosa; Bletia rhopalorrhachis; Brassavola gillettei; Cymbidium nodosum; Epidendrum nodosum