Brassavola nodosa 'little stars' - Page 2 - Orchid Board

EDDIE · #11 04-14-2010, 10:58 AM

I noticed this morning that one of the new growths is getting a red tinge on it as well...I have moved it back to an east facing window for today (morning sun). Also, I noticed that the bark it came in has like a white film, I don't know if that is fertilizer salts or what, but I will try to repot in a few days.

vintagebridget · #12 04-15-2010, 10:16 AM

I purchased the same at Lowes. Did you get it in a bag? After I removed mine I noticed the same white film. I was concerned it was mold but I repotted it and the film hasn't retured. I think it is from fertilizer. It seams really happy and bloom stalks are appearing

EDDIE · #13 04-15-2010, 11:24 AM

Yes, I did purchase it at Lowe's...did you repot it in a pot that was same size? Mine doesn't appear to have outgrown pot. How much sun does yours get?

Thanks,
Eddie

vintagebridget · #14 04-15-2010, 01:52 PM

I seriously cosidered potting it into a larger pot but decided to use the original one because it looked so happy. When you take it out you will probably see lots of that same white film and some nasty brown stuff. I just rinsed out the pot really well. I have all of my orchids outside. I placed this one where it gets early morning sun and bright light the rest of the day. It seems to be doing really well. Definately repot. It seems much healthier now. Mine also has some red in areas but hasn't increased since I repotted so the only thing I can think of is too much supplier fertilizer. I may be wrong

vintagebridget · #15 04-15-2010, 01:56 PM

Oh, and that new growth with red is probably a new bloom stalk. Mine has the same and is growing fast. Cant wait to see the bloom

cneos · #16 04-15-2010, 02:15 PM

Here is my photo of B. nodosa 'Mas Mejor' CCE/AOS (93 points) - it had 504 flowers and 100 buds and was growing in a 20 cm (8 ") wide pot. B. nodosa is definitely one orchid that doesn't mind being pot-bound.

The second photo shows some of B. nodosa offspring, including B. Little Stars [crossed with cordata (subulifolia preferred name)]. Plants at back of table are ALL Little Stars in 4 1/2 inch pots!

vintagebridget · #17 04-15-2010, 02:45 PM

It is incredible!!!!!!! Are they known to produce a lot of flowers or are you a magician

cneos · #18 04-15-2010, 03:07 PM

I wish I was a Magician and could work my spells on all my orchids.

Both nodosa and cordata (subulifolium) are quite floriferous - even as first bloom seedlings, Little Stars takes this quality. Another plus is that Little Stars' inflorescences (spike) seem stronger, more upright, helping to get the flowers out above the foliage.

Please post photos when your plant blooms.

Happy growing!

tcrane · #19 04-15-2010, 03:33 PM

So inspiring! Thank you for sharing.

Can I ask if these were grown by window light or under artificial ones?

cneos · #20 04-15-2010, 04:05 PM

Plants in my previous post were grown at H&R Nursery in Hawaii. In attached photo, Roy Tokunaga, an H&R owner, is showing my Mom one of his growing areas. Brassavola likes bright light but avoid direct sun. (Roof of H&R growing area is shaded.)
I grow in a greenhouse in NH but this plant grows and flowers in the house (bright window) or with artificial light (though with fewer flowers I'm told).