The genus Lycaste has always been popular with amateur growers. These Orchids are easy to grow, flower freely and have large decorative blooms. They are found mainly in the Andes of South America, with numerous representatives as far north as Guatemala and tropical Mexico. The plants grow either as terrestrial orchids or as epiphytes, depending on the particular species. They all produce round or oval pseudobulbs, closely joined together, and as a rule they have two large leaves at the apex. On a large plant, the leaves can appear somewhat untidy and are never kept on the plant for very long. This is annual foliage, which is discarded during the resting season, so it is soft and vulnerable to spotting and general disfiguration. Growers may prefer to remove the leaves when they become too unsightly.

Lycaste Orchids

These orchids usually flower during their resting season and the best hybrids produce a profusion of blooms from around the base of the leading pseudobulb. Each flower is borne on a single stem and it is possible to have 20 or so blooms from one pseudobulb. These large, attractive flowers are often highly scented. During the flowering season it is best to keep the plants on the dry side, which enables the blooms to last longer and prevents spotting.

Lycaste Orchids

The new growth will quickly appear when flowering has finished, or sometimes even at the same time. In the growing season, give plenty of water and fertilizer to encourage as large a pseudobulb as possible before the season’s growth is completed. When resting begins, give less water, although there are no hard-and-fast rules as they will not all grow in the summer and all rest in the winter. If it is growing, water it; if it is resting, don’t.

Anguloa Orchids

The soft, tender leaves make this orchid susceptible to aphid attack. It does not like to be sprayed with any form of insecticide, as foliage burn will result, so using water and a sponge is the best way to control this pest.

Most famous of all the species is L. skinnerii, sometimes known as L. virginalis, a species from Guatemala with huge pink flowers. It is seldom seen in cultivation today but at one time was so popular that collections would be made of all the different colour forms, from pure white and soft pink to the darkest of rose-coloured blooms. Other species include L. aromatica and L. cruenta, with their golden-yellow sepals and greenish petals. The greenhouse will be filled with their perfume.

Anguloa Orchids

Some terrestrial species arise in South America and these have to grow in competition with many other plants on the ground. Because of this, they have developed long foliage and equally long flower stems. One of these is L. locusta, which has dark green flowers.

Closely related to Lycaste is the genus Anguloa. These plants are mostly restricted to the higher altitudes of the Andes, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru. Their vegetative parts and habit of growth are the same as the lycastes but they are somewhat more robust. They make larger plants and their big foliage at the height of the growing season makes them very demanding on the greenhouse space available. Their cup-shaped flowers are borne on single stems, but never open fully. This has earned them the name of tulip orchid. The best known is A. clowesii, with its brilliant yellow, strongly scented flowers. There are numerous other species with white and pink flowers.

These two genera have been extensively hybridized since the earliest times, producing both hybrids within their own genera and intergeneric hybrids where members of the two different groups have been crossed together. The results are some outstandingly beautiful orchids, which are greatly sought after. These make excellent houseplants, thriving well on a windowsill in a cool room while resting, then being given warmth and light during the growing season. Their delicate foliage should be protected from direct sunlight through glass, to prevent scorching.