Okay lastnight I repotted 4 large lycaste I have. Fimbriata was in spaghnum i examined further all but one root was rotten.
This should be your first indication that you have a problem!

So I added a dab of hormone potted this time in net pot again with spag and clay peebles. I'm really worried about this one.

AND, you should be! A little dab of hormone wonÂt work wonders. Long term care does that!

Then I checked my aromatica just recently ordered. It had a little spag inside the root ball all roots on outside were completely dry. Worried too this is misted roots with water and root started solution.

Lycaste aromatic LOVES water/fertilizer during its active growth period, which will be ending soon, BTW. After it begins to slow down, BACK OFF on the water/fertilizer!

Third my macrophylla herma had a mediocre case of rot it's in bark and chunky perlite And then I checked my
mini macrophylla green rose as I pulled it out it immediatley divided itself into 3 plants all rotten roots so I have three of those now. I always thought my lycaste were doing well the leaves look great a few signs of sunburn nothing major. I'm wondering if y'all grow these which mix you can recomend best suitable. And what'd I do wrong the rotten cases I don't see how I over watered I watered my lycaste least of all simply cuz it's such a pain to reach them and they always look healthy still under these conditions. I really don't want to lose them at all. It was my fav species but I'm begining to want to give up and continue growing paph and phrags carefree. Thanks in advance. Just let me know how you raise your lycaste it may help me!
I donÂt give help on Lyc macrophylla. ItÂs a mystery species for me!

--Stitz--

A medium Cattleya mix provides what most Lycastes want. Mainly, something to "grab" and also some humid (NOT wet!) air space.

If you don't comprehend this, then perhaps Lycaste isn't a plant for you to grow at this time. It is not an "easy" one.

You need to know when to hose 'em, know when to fold 'em...

--Stitz--

I'm begining to agree with your last post! Ha I bought only one the herma most were gifts from a huge collector. It just stinks cuz when the fim and aromatica bloomed it was an amazing site. I'm not going to quite give up yet but will never accept another for the sake of the plant. Thanks for your info I actually did repot with a cattelya type mix. Except the fim which I was told by friend thrives in moss. I'll just wait it out. I've got some beatiful paph and phrag blooms to enjoy at the moment so life goes on

why is this species so hard tho

I grow all of my Lycaste and their closely related family in sphag/tree fern mix. During the summer they are watered when the top is still slightly damp. During their grow season they are water hogs if the light and air movement is fairly strong.

I don't have the fimbriata but the aromatica and macrophylla are both in active growth right now. In the winter, aromatica only gets the occasional sip of water. The macrophylla doesn't need the dry winter rest so gets watered when the top is crunchy.

Brooke

For Lycaste issues, I would contact Russ Vernon of New Vision Orchids. He is a member of our society, Central Indiana OS. He is always fantastic about answering any questions and is quite an expert on Lycastes. ginnibug

Probably the best rule of thumb for growing Lycastes is to let their mix dry out thoroughly between waterings. If the external humidity is high this should have little impact on the growth of the bulbs but with low humidity there will be some stress that would inhibit bulb growth.
If you want to be heavy on the watering, which is quite ok if you allow drying to occur between waterings, you may want to opt for a mix that will provide for some moisture retention but excellent drainage and aeration. I would think a mix of bark (fir, cypress, coir) and packing peanuts can provide such a mix that is light weight. Offed by the use of the peanuts you could use medium sized gravel
(what will pass through a #4 mesh but not a #5 mesh) instead. With Lycastes the height of the pot may be as important as the potting mix. On small propagations use the shortest pots available without crowding the bulbs. Bulbs that are large (over 3 inches) will do ok in a gallon pot if a large division. If you prefer the finer orchid mixes or any moss infused mix then maybe you should consider net pots as an option in order to help deter root loss.
On watering I would recommend that you keep the water out of any new growth. Just water the surface of the mix.

Here is a link that might be useful: My webjournal on Lycaste