Worlds most pointless cross B. little stars

[Keysguy]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

I notice the same thing is true with white men

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Orchidtinkerer]

Originally Posted by Keysguy

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

there was a scientific study on this showing that every race has different distinguishing facial features and as we grow up we learn to identify the people around us.

Anyone who did not grow up learning the different facial features of a particular race from an early age would always find it difficult to find the distinguishing characteristics later on.

All this shows is that Coconuts grew up with no white men around. I have the same issue with races I didn't grow up with. They all look the same to me too.

As to the original topic, I got a little stars based on people saying it has a slightly nicer smell. Based on pictures it seems like a more vigorous grower so I see the point. If I could get an identical version of any of my orchids that was a more vigorous version I'd do so.

Ironically however my B. Little Stars is a bit of a headache for me, twice it has lost all roots in my care - I was obviously keeping it too wet but it seems to either need it dryer than my other catttleya types or it doesn't like it at mine. Wish I could say it was an easy problem free cross lol.

[Leafmite]

These do like to be kept drier. Many people place these on mounts. I grow mine on top of larger pieces of lava rock in a basket pot. These do like extra Calcium (I lost two of them to Calcium deficiency, years ago).

---------- Post added at 12:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 AM ----------

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Now I'm just wondering why I'm giving so much real estate up to these guys...

I have two...nodosas (at least they are labeled that way). They are really worth having if you like fragrance. The blooms last a long time and stay fragrant throughout that time.

[Ispahan48]

Interesting discussion. Some responses above have made me laugh out loud.

Brassavola nodosa and its close relatives and hybrids have always been my all time favorites among all orchids. Why? Easy culture, attractive growth habit and SPECTACULAR evening/night fragrance that can easily fill an entire house and yet is somehow never cloying or overwhelming. The blooms last in prime condition for 6-8 weeks and remain fragrant almost the entire time. Established plants can bloom multiple times per year. To my mind, they are very elegant looking too.

I agree with those above who think it is easy to tell the difference between B. nodosa and B. subulifolia. While they are certainly close relatives, both of them are quite distinct. And one difference that hasn’t been mentioned yet is the FRAGRANCE. B. nodosa tends to have a spicy/pleasantly medicinal scent whereas B. subulifolia is more on the vanilla/citrus/floral end of the spectrum. Their hybrid B. Little Stars often has a delicious combination of the fragrances of each of its parents.

While not a trained taxonomist by any means, I tend to be a “lumper” by nature. To me, B. nodosa, B. grandiflora and B. venosa are all too similar to really be considered separate species. I think of all of these as just variants of B. nodosa.

To each his or her own. For my money, B. nodosa and B. Little Stars are amongst the most amazing and rewarding orchids for any hobbyist to grow. Falling asleep to their fragrance ranks right up there with the best of life’s simple pleasures!

[Leafmite]

They are quite wonderful.

[katsucats]

A bit of an aside, but I can't tell the difference between any of the white/pink Cattleyas or the tan/brown Encyclias (advena, tampensis, etc.). In any picture I've seen, they look exactly the same.

[isurus79]

Alright, I've just bloomed the most useless hybrid!!! Check it out: Brassavola Green Stars (Little Stars x subulifolia)

[SouthPark]

ok ..... getting back to the words 'pointless cross' ------- which is sort of contradictory in itself - because the results of a cross are generally unknown until the cross is made. So in order to find out what possible results there are ------ the cross needs to be done ....... so that's the point. So not pointless to begin with obviously.

[DerekE]

It may not be apparent, but some plants have unique traits that is not just looks. Even among Brassavola nodosa, there is one variety that is able to bloom under lower light than others.

While it may seem pointless, back-crossing can yield potentially better plants with more vigor or desired traits. Wouldn't you like a nodosa breed that blooms every month?

[Roberta]

Note that this thread has been inactive for 4 years... don't expect a response.