Brassavola nodosa S/H or bark culture?

[Conjuration]

Thanks to everyone for your replies!

Originally Posted by Ray

As to the choice of S/H or not, focus on temperature and humidity in your typical growing conditions, and how it will interact with the technique.

In my experience, B. nodosa likes it pretty hot, so unless your growing conditions never drop below about 72°F/22°C, with reasonable humidity. I wouldn't go with S/H.

Ah, well, I suppose my growing condition is a bit too cold.

Winter temperature at my windowsill growing area drops as low as 13C/55F at night, with humidity around 60%. During the day, due to a combination of sunlight and heaters, temperature can get as high as 30C/86F, with humidity as low as 40%.

Originally Posted by Roberta

I have found B. nodosa to be quite forgiving. It likes some warmth, but I got away with growing it outside (winter night temperatures down to 4 deg C or lower sometimes), it didn't do much (a few flowers per year) but survived. I moved it into the greenhouse when I got one, and it has grown rapidly (and bloomed very well) since. Winter night temperatures get down to 15 deg C (60 deg F) at night and it doesn't seem to mind. Days are much warmer, of course. I now have two, one mounted and one in a pot that I put in a basket when it outgrew the pot, but the roots are mostly outside. So that one is growing like a mounted plant too. (They move outside in the spring once night temperatures get up to 15 deg C or so, then move back to the GH in the fall when blooming is mostly over, they do like the outdoor light and air when it's warm enough) My conclusion, it does like some drying. SH should be fine for it.

Do B. nodosas attract bugs when placed outside? I have a south-facing open balcony. If B. nodosas prefer being outdoors (and won't become ground zero for a pest outbreak), I'd consider keeping mine in the balcony.

My latitude is equivalent to Fort Lauderdale, FL. So balcony or not, she's not going to get sun in summer, just light reflected off surfaces. Should I supplement with a grow light?

And great news! My B. nodosa has arrived!