About
A compact epiphytic orchid from Bahia, Brazil, with waxy, spotted flowers that are large for the size of the plant. Breeders use it widely to create compact hybrids.
Care at a glance
- Pet safety
- Listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses. General guidance for the genus
- People
- Not recorded.
- Light
- Bright light such as an east- or west-facing window; direct sun burns the leaves. Mid-green leaves indicate good light, dark green too little. General guidance for the genus
- Water
- Let the potting medium dry completely between waterings, then run lukewarm water through the pot until it drains. Avoid salt-softened water and water colder than 10 °C (50 °F). General guidance for the genus
- Humidity
- Above 50%; a pebble tray under the pot helps. Good air circulation is essential. General guidance for the genus
- Temperature
- About 21–29 °C (70–85 °F) by day and 13–16 °C (55–60 °F) at night. General guidance for the genus
- Soil
- Coarse orchid bark (chopped fir or redwood) or an inorganic kiln-fired medium; never ordinary potting soil. General guidance for the genus
- Pot
- Repot about every two years, in spring or just before new roots appear, when the rhizome grows over the pot edge or the medium breaks down. General guidance for the genus
- Propagation
- Divide when repotting, keeping at least three healthy pseudobulbs per division; also raised from seed or tissue culture. General guidance for the genus
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 10a–12b; grown indoors or under glass elsewhere. General guidance for the genus
“General guidance for the genus” marks advice sourced for the genus as a whole rather than this species.
Field notes
Morphology
Only 7–13 cm tall. Short cylindrical pseudobulbs each carry two fleshy leaves, which can blotch purple in strong sun. Each growth bears one to three long-lasting flowers 6–10 cm across, white to near-white spotted purple, with a dark purple lip blotch and a yellow anther cap; blooms in spring and summer.
Distribution & habitat
Grows on branches and trunks in a small area of Bahia, Brazil, on plateaus southwest of Salvador near the Paraguaçu River, in seasonally dry forest at 100–400 m close to permanent water.
Cultivation notes
Crossed with other two-leaved cattleyas it passes on its spotting, and its hybrids often flower two or more times a year. Several colour forms are grown, including coerulea, deep-rose 'Rubra', green-and-white 'alba' and pale 'Albescens'.
History & etymology
Named for Lady Lydia Ackland, wife of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, who first grew it successfully in Europe; her drawing was the basis of the illustration in its first description.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- Brazil
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- Not recorded
- Temperature
- About 21–29 °C (70–85 °F) by day and 13–16 °C (55–60 °F) at night.
- Humidity
- Above 50%; a pebble tray under the pot helps. Good air circulation is essential.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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