Lacaena
(pronounced: la-SEE-na)
Classification
Maxillarieae subtribe Stanhopeinae
Overview
Caespitose epiphytes or lithophytes. Pseudobulbs large, ovoid-globose. Leaves 2--3, plicate. Inflorescences arching to pendent, densely many-flowered, scapose racemes. Flowers fleshy, subglobose. Sepals and petals free, the sepals spreading, the petals cincave-incurved to either side of the column. Lip three-lobed, with 1--2 calli. Column arching, club-shaped, with broad wings; pollinia 2 on an elongate common stipe and small viscidium.
Distribution
A genus of three species in Mesoamerica.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow Lacaena in baskets to allow their strongly pendent inflorescences to get free of the medium. Pot is a rich, medium-grade epiphyte mixture with a moisture retaining component. Provide cool intermediate temperatures and abundant air movement. Give the plants copious water and fertilizer when in active growth. After the pseudobulbs have matured restrict water to a maintenance program. Lacaena are notoriously difficult to cultivate.
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