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Conservatory Greenhouse

Lycaste aromatica

A small to medium-sized epiphytic orchid up to 25cm tall, producing a clump of green, oval-shaped pseudobulbs, which serve as storage organs for water and nutrients. The orchid usually flowers in cultivation between late spring and summer, at the same time as the new growth resumes. Emerging leaf rosettes appear pale green, turning mid-green as they mature. leaves are deciduous, plicate (folded lengthways), 7cm wide and 20cm long. Each mature pseudobulb produces up to ten, single-flowered stems up to 25cm long. Yellow flowers are 5-6cm large and carry a strong cinnamon smell. Mature specimen plants can display large numbers of flower flowering simultaneously

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1B

Botanical details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Mex. to C America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a suitable, moisture-retentive, but free-draining orchid mix. Provide enough bright, filtered light, but keep away from direct sunlight or a heating source. Ideal temperatures are around 13°C minimum at night and up to maximum 25 °C during day. Water with soft water when the pot feels light when lifted. Prevent rot by avoiding leaves when watering. Orchid fertiliser can be applied regularly throughout the growing season. Reduce watering and feeding when dormant, in winter months. As with many orchids, they grow best when they are well-established and slightly pot-bound. Re-potting should be only done if the plant overgrows its container or before the potting mix starts to deteriorate - approximately once in 2-3 years. See indoor orchid cultivation for more tips

Propagation

Propagation by seed is only possible in a controlled laboratory environment. Well-established plants can be propagated by division. Ensure each division has young enough, mature pseudobulbs to support new growth.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required other than removing spent flower stems

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free. Poor air movement may cause bacterial or fungal rots. Good hygiene practice and sterilising cutting tools prevent the spread of virus diseases

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