Laelia lobata is native to a limited area of Brazil from the vicinity of the city of Rio de Janerio southward to the north of the State of Ṣo Paulo. It is often found growing on rocks facing the ocean and fully exposed to the sun. Laelia lobata has the reputation of being a shy bloomer, but I have not found this to be true. It does like a good amount of sun and should be placed in the sunniest location in the greenhouse. It should not receive so much sun that the leaves turn excessively yellow in color. The normal light-green leaf color recommended for all Cattleyas is fine, along with normal Cattleya temperatures of 58 F (14. C) night and 85 F (29.5 C) day. Some growers suggest allowing L. lobata to grow over the edge of the pot because they have observed the plant produces its best flowers then. You can accomplish the same thing by putting the plant in a larger pot so the second and third year's growths will be able to root in the pot instead of in the open air. Most plants resent being cut up and repotted and will produce a growth and flowers the year after they are repotted that are not as good as they will be in the next two or three years. Newly repotted plants need a little tender loving care after repotting. Pot the plant only when it begins sending out new roots from the front pseudobulb. Place it in a clay pot because clay pots breathe, while plastic pots do not. Spray the plant frequently, but water it only lightly. Give it just enough water to encourage the new roots to go down into the potting medium. Increase the water slowly until the roots fill the pot. Overwatering a newly repotted plant is a sure way to produce a water-logged medium that will rot the new roots.