Brassavola Little Stars....

[Leafmite]

That is just gorgeous, Katrina. The fragrance must be fabulous! I only have two spikes on mine this year so it is really a treat to see yours.

[nikkik]

Wow, that's gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.

[katrina]

Thanks everyone! It's one of my favs...I'm glad you like it.

Originally Posted by Joseia

Very nice, the fragrance must be amazing in that area!

In that same area I also have B cebolleta, B cucullata, a small B cordata, AND a small nosoda blooming. Well, the cebo and cucu are about finished but yea, the grow space smells amazing w/in a very short period after the lights go out.

Again...thanks for the wonderful comments.

[No-Pro-mwa]

These are such beautiful orchids, I think it may go on my wish list. Yours is looking very large. Nice growing.

[katrina]

It is a great plant and yes, No-Pro-mwa, you should definitely get one. Fuss free and smells awesome.

Thanks for the comments.

[Optimist]

You have some amazing plants! I am very interested in these brassovolas. Love this example. How old would you say it is? How much humidity needed? I would be good if their care is like catts.

[katrina]

Optimist....Brassavolas are in the Cattleya alliance and they grow very much like other Catts.

The biggest difference, IME, is that most require a good deal more light than some of the other catts. Some of my Brassavolas are acclimated to full, direct sun during most of the afternoon in the Summer time. W/out a doubt...the best flowering comes w/a LOT of light.

As for humidity...my humidity fluctuates wildly throughout the year (from single digits to very humid) and not one seems to be affected by it either way.

Brassavolas are some of my favorites. Love them! All are very fragrant at night and w/the exception of 2 of mine...I find them all to be rather fuss free if they get sufficient light.

How old is my plant? Hmmmm...I'm not sure. I got it as a NBS seedling in Summer of '08 so I've had it a bit more than 5yrs but I don't know how old it was when it got here. Sorry.

[NYCorchidman]

You should definitely get one.

I got one from the society auction in December 2012.
It was in 3 inch pot with about 10 pbs, most of which were small babies, but 5 of them had flowers on.

I meant to repot it in the spring as the whole thing was just full of thick roots, but I just never got to it.

During the warmer months, it grew like crazy in four directions with much larger pbs, about 10 of them.
2 of these new pbs had spikes early fall, but all blasted.
The other eight are in bloom right now, and it looks and smells wonderful!!!

So I find this plant this plant is very easy to maintain and reach specimen size fast.

[madeleine]

Your plant is lovely. Would you recommend artificial light if there isn't much natural light for the Brassavolas? Just moved to a new place and the leaves are dropping. I think it's because it doesnt have much light.

[katrina]

Thank you. Most brassavolas are going to need very bright light in order to do well but your leaves could be dropping for other reasons.

Could be they are just older and it's their time and/or could be root loss due to any number of reasons which could cause your leaves to die off. Too low light could eventually cause leaf loss but it would take quite awhile...it's not something that would happen quickly. Not on it's own anyway.

I grow mine outside in the Summer and under lights during the colder months. For best growth and flowering...bright light is definitely necessary.