Brassavola in sphagnum?

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Anyone growing nodosa or nodosa hybrids in sphagnum? How are y'all doing?

Got this Bc. Yellow Bird which is 75% nodosa. I have the species and other hybrids growing great for me in bark, perlite, grodan cubes, and lava rock in wood baskets. I know nodosa is very frequently found as a lithophyte on seaside cliffs. Roots are relatively resistant to water salts, have crazy and wild growth patterns, and like to breathe whilst staying constantly moist. Albeit easy to grow under many circumstances, I've found nodosa and its hybrids doing better when kept on the wetter side instead of letting them dry out. So I make sure to add extra grow cubes and plenty of perlite for them.

I think they would do great in Sphagnum, but it would probably increase the need for repotting, and if grown in baskets, that would mean breaking a lot of roots. Yet, I don't think growing in a regular pot would be an option, as I think they resent it when they can't extend their roots.

[Roberta]

I have a B. nodosa in a plastic basket. I think there's bark in the basket, or was at one time, but it is so overgrown that I don't think it's even relevant any more. There are more roots outside than inside. You'd really have to be careful to not overwater with sphag. So my suggestion would be basket with bark.

[Jeff214]

I grow Bc. Yellow Bird in bark and on a mount here in SoCal. Mine seems to like to dry out... My other nodosa hybrids do seem to like more water though.

I think you should try whatever works for your environment and watering schedule.

[Roberta]

I went out and took a closer look at my B. nodosa. It was originally in a small terracotta pot (can't tell what the medium was, might have even been sphagnum) but it climbed out and I put the whole thing into that plastic net pot. The plant basically went crazy outside the original pot, worked its way over the top and rooted through the holes in the basket. So the clay pot with whatever was originally in it seems to be providing some moisture while the plant runs wild outside.

[Maree]

Pictures of mine I bought 20 years ago. As Roberta mentioned it has taken over the terra cotta pot and is thriving. Not sure there is much medium left. One of my favorites

[Roberta]

Looks a lot like my B. nodosa plant. Happy to go wild. Mine is of a similar age. Clearly dominant in the hybrid.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by Maree

Pictures of mine I bought 20 years ago. As Roberta mentioned it has taken over the terra cotta pot and is thriving. Not sure there is much medium left. One of my favorites

That is just stunning to see. How do you manage watering?

[Ray]

Your growing conditions and watering abilities/habits play a far more significant role in your success or failure with a given potting medium than does the plant alone.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Ray

Your growing conditions and watering abilities/habits play a far more significant role in your success or failure with a given potting medium than does the plant alone.

Exactly. Whatever works for your other Cattleyas will work well for nodosa (or its hybrids). If you do well with bark for Catts, then I'd stick with that media. I know plenty of folks in Florida and Brazil do very well with spag so its certainly possible to grow your plant in that media with no problem. Just gotta figure out how to make it work in your conditions.

[Maree]

Thank you for your kind words. I actually just took this to my local orchid expert for repotting and he says- leave it be. Its happy, blooming and healthy. He did mention I could put the whole thing in a wooden box and hang. I've not made a decision as of yet.
Every 8-10 days I hold the Yellow Bird over the sink and pour several cups of tepid water over the roots and through the pot. Every other watering with mild fertilizer.