Question about Brassavola 'Mickey Mouse'

[Shiffdaddy]

I recently got a Brassavola 'Mickey Mouse' species from Andy's ORchids. I put it in an outdoor spot that gets bright light all day unti about 4 and then gets a few hours of sunlight. I water it every morning and it dries by evening. It has started to change color a lot and all the leaves are becoming very red/purplish color.

I read somewhere that this is good and what you want but i'm coming to you guys and seeing what you have to say.

Can anybody tell me anything interesting about this species? King!! haha. Of course ive read every website on google about these things, but theres nothing like getting advice from someone who has it and has dealt with it. Any advise on getting it to flower. I am in so cal.

Thanks

Ben

[Shiffdaddy]

Picture

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Wow! Those leaves are purple! While it is important to give it lots of light to get it to bloom, you have to slowly adapt it to higher light levels. It looks like you put it straight to its current spot, which is why the leaves turned colour. Thankfully for you, the spot was not bright enough to burn the leaves. Unless you start to see areas of dead leaf from sunburn, I would leave him there.

I am new to Brassavolas too and made same mistake with my new B. Little Stars - put it into full sun window and now it has couple of those purple spots. I moved it into corner behind cattleyas, hope leaves will not die.
Interestingly that Bl. Aurora and Bl. Morning Glory (they all came together)seem to be ok with burinng sun (at least for now), just got some reddish color at the edge of the leaves.
I potted my Brassavola into tiny clay pot with coconut husks and will let it dry between waterings.
Shiffdaddy, yours look nice and big.
Mine has small black tips on a few leaves. Does anyone know what it could be?

[FairyInTheFlowers]

It is most likely because you put it right into full sun. Brassavola nodosa can easily take near to or full sun, it just has to be gradually introduced to it. Once you let it be in a certain bright spot for a while, slowly move it to a brighter spot, and then let it get used to that spot, then repeat. Eventually, you will be able to have it in a very bright spot without burning the leaves.

[Shiffdaddy]

Ooooooppps!! I guess I didn't do a good job of hardening off the plant huh? But is this one gonna be fine? It's been there for 2 weeks now so is the red maybe ok or should I move it to less light?

[gnathaniel]

Looks fine to me, really healthy actually. Some of these color up more than others in bright light. I'd say just keep on growing it the way you have been and you'll start getting blooms on new growths. Nice plant!

--Nat

[isurus79]

Purple coloration on Brassavola's means the light is just right. High light leads to good blooms, so enjoy!