Lelia (lat.Laelia) – a genus of flowering plants of the Orchid family, which includes epiphytes and lithophytes. It is found mainly in the subtropics of South America, where it grows on rocks. Most varieties of this genus are characterized by a sympodial type of development. Lelia is considered one of the most spectacular orchids by many flowering aficionados. It is distinguished by grace, delicate tones of petals, not too capricious character. Despite the fact that this plant needs high-quality care, even a beginner can grow it if desired. The main thing is to study the main features and preferences of the orchid.
Description
Lelia rock orchid is an ornamental plant with a height of 20 to 60 cm, with oval, slightly elongated or ovoid pseudobulbs. In the early years, pseudobulbs are smooth, shiny, gray-green. With age, they become wrinkled, lose their luster. Vaginal leaves, dense, thick, belt-shaped, with a pointed upper part. The sheet seems to be folded in half. A pronounced vein runs along its center.
Peduncles develop in the upper part of the stem, do not have branches. Flowers are solitary or enclosed in small racemose inflorescences. The open bud diameter is 15 cm. The flower consists of two petals and three sepals. Petals are oval, elongated, pointed at the end. The lip can be whole or divided into 3 parts. The edges of the lip, depending on the variety, are straight or wavy. Flowering can be observed from the beginning of winter to mid-March.
Types
Lelia double-edged (Laelia anceps).
Epiphytic plant with ovoid pseudobulbs, reaching 10 cm in height. Leaves are belt-shaped, bright green, up to 20 cm long, up to 4 cm wide. The peduncle can grow up to 1 m. 5 flowers 15 cm in diameter develop on one peduncle. The petals are narrow, with wavy edges, bent back, lilac and purple in color.
Lelia gouldiana (Laelia gouldiana).
An orchid of medium height with fusiform pseudobulbs outlined with four faces. Leaves are lanceolate, hard, dark green, reaching up to 25 cm in length, 3.5 cm in width. Peduncle up to 80 cm long. Bears from 3 to 10 buds 10 cm in diameter. The color of the petals is lilac with a transition to a white shade towards the central part.
Lelia blushing (Laelia rubescens).
A plant that grows up to 90 cm in height. It has narrow, hard, saturated green leaves 15 cm long and 3 cm wide. Peduncles grow up to 20 – 70 cm. They bear up to 15 flowers with a diameter of 8 cm. The color of the petals is light lilac.
Lelia is magnificent (Laelia speciosa).
The orchid is about 30 cm high. It has thin shoots with a pair of belt-like bright green leaves. Peduncles are short, with one or two flowers 10 cm in diameter. The petals are purple. The lip is white with purple spots.
Lelia lobata – a plant with a height of 20 – 30 cm, with narrow oval dense dark green leaves.
The peduncle is thick, with four to five flowers. The petals are narrow, with straight and fringed edges. Lelia lobata is capable of blooming only when in bright light, therefore it should be kept on the windowsill of the southern and southeastern orientation.
Tiny Lelia (Laelia pumila).
A compact plant with creeping roots. Pseudobulbs are oval, slightly flattened, univalent. The leaf plates are elongated, rigid, up to 10 cm long. One flower of a pink-lilac color with fringed petals develops on the peduncle. The lip is purple with a bright pink spot.
Lelia purpurata (Laelia purpurata) – a variety reaching 40 – 50 cm, possessing clavate shoots with belt-like, very dense smooth leaves up to 25 cm long, up to 3 cm wide.
Peduncles are straight, ending in a racemose inflorescence, consisting of large flowers with a diameter of 20 cm. The color of the petals is light lilac. The lip is purple with a grooved edge.
Lelia Milleri (Laelia Milleri).
Orchid with ovoid purple pseudobulbs, reaches 6-10 cm in height. Leaves are belt-shaped, tough. The racemose inflorescence consists of 5 – 7 flowers of pink and coral color. The lip is yellow and pink-streaked.
