Inhabiting vast regions of Central and South America are the 300 or so evergreen, epiphytic or lithophytic species of Maxillaria. These are small- to mediumsize plants that vary greatly in structure. The majority produce pseudobulbs, which may be small and round, with a single, grass-like leaf (such as Maxillaria tenuifolia), or large and spectacular (such as M. sanderiana).

While some species, such as Masdevallia coccinea, produce some of the most vibrant colours in the orchid flora, others are very drab. Of the 300 or so species, many are in cultivation alongside a small number of hybrids. The flowers are characterized by the triangular shape of the large, spreading sepals, of which some (such as those of Masdevallia caudata) have extended “tails”. The petals and lip are much reduced and remain generally hidden at the centre of the bloom. In other species, such as M. racemosa, the sepals are fused at the base to create a tube that contains the diminutive other segments. While M. veitchiana is outstanding for its vibrant orange and red colouring, others, such as M. ventricularia, which has curious brown-spotted, tubular flowers, are nonetheless interesting and worth considering.

In the same way, dark red angulocastes have been raised that compare well with the lighter, softer-coloured varieties. The strongest fragrance in these genera is found among the Anguloa species, and this has carried on into the bigeneric hybrids. A. clotvesii is best known for its sweet perfume. The lycastes and anguloas share many characteristics. They produce stout, hard, dark green pseudobulbs that are generously foliaged during the summer. The leaves are broad, soft and ribbed, spreading wide as they mature, which makes the plants spaceconsuming. The foliage is shed during winter or at the onset of new growth in early spring.

In cultivation, they should be disturbed as little as possible, and, when repotting becomes necessary, they can often be “dropped on” into a slightly larger pot without breaking up the root ball. In this way, most masdevallias can be grown on to form good-size clumps without becoming unmanageable. At this stage they are seen at their best and will provide a profusion of flowers during the summer months. A few species, such as Masdevallia tovarensis, will produce more of its milk-white flowers from the same stems for more than one year, provided you do not cut them off.

Annual repotting is often preferred for lycastes and anguloas because the plants quickly outgrow their containers. By removing the oldest pseudobulbs each time, plants can be kept to a moderate size. Where specimen plants are wanted, you can leave them to become really large. For these reasons, the hybrids are best contained in a greenhouse where they can be given sufficient headroom. If you are growing your orchids indoors where space is limited, try one or two of the smaller species among the lycastes such as Lycaste aromatica, which is deliciously scented and carries a profusion of golden yellow flowers in the spring, or L. skinneri, with its variable white to soft pink varieties. These plants will not grow much bigger than 30cm (12in) high when in leaf. Most of the 25 or so Lycaste species can be found in cultivation, alongside the numerous hybrids.

The species may be epiphytic, terrestrial or lithophytic, with most plants preferring shady situations in woodland. Lycastes are South American whose highest concentrations are ax Mexico and Peru. The anguloas a a small natural genus containing arms ten species, which exist rnaini,t a Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. their scarcity, only a few species az widely grown. More widely seen orchid collections are the angulocames, whose large, fleshy blooms are Mao (4in) wide. Temperature for the orchid is cool-growing (winter and intermediate-growing (summer). Grow in pots of bark-had compost (growing medium) in pots 25cm (10in) in diameter. In summc water and feed freely and maintain grad humidity (although excessive spraymg can cause leaf marks). Decrease wats=n; as the foliage begins to turn yellow zex water in winter only if the pseudobulm become dehydrated and shrivel. Give light shade in summer and full light in winter.