The flower shown is Lycaste Island of Vulcorn ‘Red Symphony’ x Sunrise 'Naito'. This plant is a complex hybrid, made up varying combinations of four species, and grown by Bryon Rinke and Max Thompson.
Pronounced lie-CAST-ee, and named after a Greek nymph, Lycaste was proposed as a genus by John Lindley in 1843. This genus of 52 species ranges from Mexico to Bolivia with some 17 species indigenous to Ecuador. Lycaste grow as epiphytic or terrestrial plants primarily in the wet forested regions of the Andes Mountains between 500 meters (1,650 feet) and 2,500 meters elevation (8,200 feet).
Lycaste have large ribbed pseudobulbs, some with a pair of sharp terminal spines, and produce two to four large oval-shaped and veined leaves. Flowers of the Lycaste are produced at the base of the pseudobulb and contain one or two flowers per scape. Lycaste flowers are long-lasting; however, they are easily bruised and do not travel well.
Most Lycaste are cool to cold growing; the exceptions are the lower-elevation Andean species and the intermediate-growing Mexican species. Most hybrids are bred for a warmer growing characteristic and tend to thrive under more intermediate conditions. Lycaste generally grow well potted in a free-draining media, with medium light, and high humidity.
References:
Pridgeon, Alec. (1999). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids. Timberline Press, Portland OR.
Dodson, C. (2002). Native Ecuadorian Orchids, Volume III: Lepanthopsis – Oliveriana. Dodson Trust, Sarasota FL.
OrchidWiz Encyclopedia. (2006).
Submitted by Mark Sanborn