I second Marc Hachadourian's comments. Also, note that seedlings
of the traditional large growing complex Lycaste skinneri hybrids usually
begin blooming in a 4 inch pot. If you remove old psuedobulbs over 5 years
old you can usually keep a complex Lycaste hybrid in a 6 inch pot and
still have enough new growths for quite a display. They are no more a
space hog than traditional unifoliate Cattleyas. Besides the delightful
miniature L. campbellii, it is worth mentioning that brevispatha,
candida, cochleata, leucantha, powelii, & tricolor are all medium sized
plants. maturing specimens can reside in 4 or 5 inch pots. My plant of the
hybrid Phoebe(brevispatha x macrobulbon) started blooming in a 2 inch pot.
A real charmer. This year it jumped to a 4 inch pot size, and looks like
the mature specimen size will be at most a 5 inch pot. Among the Ida
group, my favorite mid size is Ida (Lycaste) andrettae with its down
facing coppery flowers with a hinged mobile lip, that nodds in the breeze
like a bulbophyllum. Another smallish one is Ida portilliae (syn Ida
fowliei?) with its little partially closed pipe like flowers.
Merv's complaint is justly deserved when it comes to Anguloa
hybrids and some of the Ida species. The Angulocaste hybrids are huge.
Some of the Lycaste macrophylla hybrids, especially with a little cruenta
in them besides the usual doses of skinneri can get quite large. And Ida
(Lycaste) denningiana with its 5 pound football sized psuedobulbs needs a
laundry basket sized pot. So Merv's perception is based on the reality of
the larger hybrids and species.
But if you pick your hybrids and species well, they are quite
managable.
Wonderful group and great article in OD.
Leo
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