Why do Brassovolas hate me?

[Lilavati]

They either won't bloom or they drop their buds. I have not consistently had this sort of problem with any other sort of orchid. Whether I try to get them to bloom, or they get shipped to me in spike, they are a disaster!

[karren]

Are they mounted or potted? Where do you grow-window sill or greenhouse? Is your growing space warm or intermediate? What are the light levels? Do you have enough light to get a red or purple cast on the leaves? Do they grow and just not boom or not grow well?

I'm also in zone 6 too, and have grown these in an orchidarium and now in a greenhouse. Mine are mounted or in a basket and have turned into monsters, epsecially B. nudosa 'Little Stars'. This I bought with four 3"leaves and the vendor said they didn't get much bigger. This spring I moved it to a cork raft, the cork is about 18" x 10". I have many hybrids of Brassovola and many of those also are now big plants with the same kind of mass of roots.

[Lilavati]

Originally Posted by karren

Are they mounted or potted? Where do you grow-window sill or greenhouse? Is your growing space warm or intermediate? What are the light levels? Do you have enough light to get a red or purple cast on the leaves? Do they grow and just not boom or not grow well?

I'm also in zone 6 too, and have grown these in an orchidarium and now in a greenhouse. Mine are mounted or in a basket and have turned into monsters, epsecially B. nudosa 'Little Stars'. This I bought with four 3"leaves and the vendor said they didn't get much bigger. This spring I moved it to a cork raft, the cork is about 18" x 10". I have many hybrids of Brassovola and many of those also are now big plants with the same kind of mass of roots.

Mine are potted, since I have no place to hang them. They are under lights in the winter, and outside in very bright light in the summer. They grow happily enough, but they don't bloom. I figure that might be the winter light, so I'm upgrading my light set up. But I can't figure out why ones that have buds drop them. The growing conditions in the room with the light rack are basically warm. They don't have a red or purple cast on the leaves right now, but I think they did during the summer. I don't remember. I have some Cattleyas under the same conditions, and they seem ok.

[dounoharm]

cold drafts or super dry conditions can cause bud drop....hows your humidity?

[Lilavati]

Originally Posted by dounoharm

cold drafts or super dry conditions can cause bud drop....hows your humidity?

About 50%-60% according to the meter. The light rack has a humidity tent over it, with a fan for circulation . . . coudl they perhaps be too close to the fan? They sit near it, just where they ended up.

[mollycart1]

I feel your pain, Lilavati. Mine has just been growing for last 4 years. NO BLOOMS AT ALL.

I tried to sell it at a local society meeting, but nobody wants to buy it without blooms.

[Lilavati]

Originally Posted by mollycart1

I feel your pain, Lilavati. Mine has just been growing for last 4 years. NO BLOOMS AT ALL.

I tried to sell it at a local society meeting, but nobody wants to buy it without blooms.

At least it looks really, really happy! Perhaps you can pass it off as a unique looking cactus

[Royal]

I've found that mine bloom well when given really high light - like full sun till 2pm in summer, then all day in the fall. It's usually in bloom all winter.

If you look up the weather patterns in areas they grow wild, you'll find that the get tons of rain, then barely any at all. Try cutting back on water and fertilizer or eliminate it all together. That, along with as much light as it can handle should get them blooming for you.

[Lilavati]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

I've found that mine bloom well when given really high light - like full sun till 2pm in summer, then all day in the fall. It's usually in bloom all winter.

If you look up the weather patterns in areas they grow wild, you'll find that the get tons of rain, then barely any at all. Try cutting back on water and fertilizer or eliminate it all together. That, along with as much light as it can handle should get them blooming for you.

I'll try moving them out into even brighter areas in the summer then . . . I was erring on the side of caution. Do you know off hand what season tends to be the dry season for them?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Lilavati

I'll try moving them out into even brighter areas in the summer then . . . I was erring on the side of caution. Do you know off hand what season tends to be the dry season for them?

Winter. I would try cutting your water regimine in half and see what happens. Scare the bejezzez out of your plant! It rarely fails for me. Ive seen nodosas growing in the forest in Panama with the spray from waves actually drenching these plants in salt. Not that Im advocating using salt on your plants, but I am advocating a little abuse!! Trust me, not only can they take it, but the might actually need it! Give 'em as much light as they can handle, cut your watering and do you best to prevent any cold drafts from hitting you flowers when in bud. Sounds like your humidity is perfect for these guys too.