Brassavola cordata question, new growth...

[ChasWG]

So I bought this little guy about 3 to 4 weeks ago. At first I was keeping it in my East facing bathroom window. It started to get even more redish than when I first bought it. So I put it into my new mini-greenhouse. And just today I noticed that what I thought were new leaves are in fact something else. In fact there are a total of 4 of these growths in all. Different sizes each one. What is it?







Thanks!

[SP2340]

Are you sure there not new leaves? They look like it to me.

[isurus79]

Those are new growths. Four is a great number because you are well one your to having a big ol specimen plant! As for the red coloration, thats a good sign. Red coloration means its getting good light. Keep up the good work!

[Brooke]

Congratulations, you have several new leaves popping out.

Brooke

[ChasWG]

Hmmm... they look different from the other leaves. And if you see on the long one with the forked tip, there are sheaths of sorts. But if that's what you guys think then I'll go with it. Not like I could do anything about it anyway.

Thanks!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by ChasWG

And if you see on the long one with the forked tip, there are sheaths of sorts.

That's quite common. Mine do this all the time. Blossom buds form on mature leaves down where the fold contacts the short pseudobulb. These are certainly new shoots.

[ChasWG]

Sweet! That's great. I thought the little dude was too small to form flower spikes, but I don't know. And checking on them this morning I missed a other new growth. 5 in total now!

Seeings how it's in such a small terracotta pot with a bark medium it seems like it drys out pretty quickly. I am correct in that I water it almost every day? These guys like their water, yes?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by ChasWG

These guys like their water, yes?

No! These guys like to dry out between watering. If you are ever wondering whether or not to water, dont! All the brassavolas do better with less water. If you see the leaves starting to shrivel, then water some more. My guess is that unless you are growing outside in warm weather, then you should water less; try 2-3x per week if it drys out as fast as you say.

[justatypn]

Brassavola cordata preferred choice would be mounted. I have mine mounted and it allows it to dry out between watering (daily). Brassavola tend to bloom in the autumn and winter. The flowers are not often noticed until the evening when their fragrance overwhelms the nighttime air.

[Brooke]

Here is a picture of the bloom season this winter. You can see the dead stems from the previous years bloom and where the spike originated.



Ditto on they want and need to grow dry. Since you are in Colorado it probably is drier there but you will still need to be careful of watering or you will lose the roots. I can go two or three days in the summer (g/h grower, zone 6) in bright sun before I water.

Brooke