B. Little Star from Kawamoto Orchids - Orchid Board

kindrag23 · #1 09-18-2013, 01:57 PM

Okay So I ordered this B. Little star, and yes it is quite large. Lol, but where exactly does this chid belong....Post pictures soon.

Best advice for growing it? Unfortunately while Kawamoto has amazing and healthy plants they do not always place what the care requirements are for this plant...

kindrag23 · #2 09-18-2013, 02:08 PM

here is a lower look

TOMMYMIAMI · #3 09-18-2013, 03:47 PM

Have one from Kawamoto for 3 years, grows like crazy. It must dry out between waterings, does not like to be soaking wet whatsoever. It does not even appreciate misting, just water it once a week or so if potted, when it dries out. Fertilize regular, and it loves lot of light, even direct sun when it gets used to it. If you look into the pics of my balcony I posted yesterday, you will see the one I have for 3 years, it is 3 times bigger now, and it gets direct late afternoon sun for some 3-4 hours. If your leaves turn little bit red, that means it is getting as much sun as needed, should not get much more!

kindrag23 · #4 09-18-2013, 05:04 PM

Cool out to my porch it goes then

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Are these some type of succulents? The way the leaves look and feel make me lean that way

TOMMYMIAMI · #5 09-18-2013, 08:49 PM

no succulents, and actually they are used in orchid crossing as I do understand a lot. I love their blooms, so pretty

kindrag23 · #6 09-18-2013, 08:50 PM

umm you mean hybridizing... very pretty, this has already spiked as well.

TOMMYMIAMI · #7 09-18-2013, 08:56 PM

yep, One of my cattleyas is crossed with this one and it is gorgeous, you can see that there is something from little star in the blooms - Stellamizutaara Kelly Lea is mix of Brassavolaxcattletonia, love that one, and smells amazing at night!

kindrag23 · #8 09-18-2013, 08:59 PM

No wonder when I had seen these they reminded me of the b. star they are a part of the b. star. lol. Very pretty. I can't wait for this one to decide to bloom

NYCorchidman · #9 09-21-2013, 01:26 PM

Kawamoto had large clumps of B. little star growing outside in the sun in front of their cattleya greenhouse when I visited them last fall. The whole thing was quite big and covered with white flowers. It was quite the sight!

Anyways, you will love it when this plant is in bloom.
I got one last December in bloom. It has since put out 10 new growths and still growing new "sticks" and some spikes.

While I agree with what Tommy has said above, I water mine a lot. Maybe he has a greenhouse with misting or good humidity?
I grow mine right up against south facing bay window, so it gets full sun all day. It is in a small pot, which dried out very fast with the sun and so many roots in the pot.
So I have to water almost every other day to keep up. I noticed that drying out too long blasts all the spikes and flowers. so be careful with watering.

I think this plant is also great for mounting. It grows roots so well.

TOMMYMIAMI · #10 09-21-2013, 01:49 PM

NYCorchidman, I do grow everything outside at my balcony year round, no greenhouse, no misting whatsoever. As a matter of the fact, I read at many places that Brassavola does not like misting at all, and must dry between watering, as well as does not like constantly moist mix. They do not require also high humidity as other orchids do, they can be happy with only 40%, however they grow the best in humidity between 50-60. It may be that since I am growing in Miami, outside, with high humidity year round, they do not require so much watering and they are happy here with watering every 4-5 days. I do soak them well every time I do water. But do not forget every growing zone has different requirements also!

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Also, mine gets only late afternoon and evening sun, so it does not dry out so fast, if you grow on full sun the whole day, than you must water more often for sure:-)