A Beautiful Laelia Orchid Species
I love this gorgeous Mexican species, Laelia gouldiana, but our garden pests annoyingly love it, too. The first row of photos above shows happy, uneaten flowers from recent years. In contrast, the three rows of photos below show damaged flowers, the worst from this year, and some milder damage in 2016 and 2018. Whatever chomped through this year’s blooms did so while they were still buds, so they opened looking like Swiss cheese.
Generally, my natural pest remedies are remarkably effective at limiting damage. Our garden is a healthy ecosystem full of birds, spiders, raccoons, lizards, and other predators. I use non-toxic chemicals when necessary. However, these flowers seem to get munched more than most. This year, the bugs, or slugs, really did a number on them.
This species is native to the Mexican state of Hidalgo, but sadly is extinct in the wild. Fortunately it survives in cultivation. It’s considered as easy to grow as its close relative Laelia anceps. This cool grower can handle low humidity better than many orchid varieties. Like other members of the Cattleya family, Laelia gouldiana needs to dry out well between waterings, and wants morning sun to grow well. Maybe someday I’ll learn how to keep its blooms intact.
Explore posts in the same categories: Cool Growers, Fragrant Orchids, Photos, Problems
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