Brassavola nodosa Want to Live!

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Skribbane

Good to see this, mine's done something similar with the yellowing and dropping of new leaves and is looking decidedly sickly too. It had very few living roots when I first repotted it. Hoping it starts a recovery soon.

Well, this is my first time seeing this "survival frenzy" happening. lol

I only have three plants of nodosa, and a bunch of hybrids of it.
I keep buying because they are small plants with quite large and very fragrant flowers, and because I do see variations. oh, and my older one is not doing so well.

The first one I bought last year, which bloomed again for me with great flowers has been a so so grower and it looks like it is dying although it is pushing up some new growths very slowly. So I'm thinking something is not right with that one.
I bought these two new ones earlier this year as they are even smaller plants but so many leads.
I will have to see how much bigger these will get and when they will start blooming, so far very fun to watch them grow.

I don't like to baby "crappy plants" too much, so I only keep the strong growing and flowering plants.
Reduce the stress and keep the hobby a fun one.

---------- Post added at 01:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:23 PM ----------

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

It never occurred to me that over watering would be an issue with these, but I tend to have the opposite problem. Maybe that's why mine are so happy? Seeing this makes me wonder if I should look into more related species.

Glad it's coming back for you! They do seem to be very tough!

Overwatering is a big issue with ALL PLANTS but more so with these epiphytes as they are supposed to have their roots open in the air.

Mine was not overwatered by the way. It's just mystery whatever it is that hit this plant. At least it is not further spreading and the plant is apparently in growing mode with all these shoots, so I'm keeping my eyes on it and see what happens.

You should try hybrids of this.
I have a few and will add more. Nearly all of them are very fragrant with a different kick, and I love them all!

[RandomGemini]

I'd love to, but haven't actually found any available for sale. I'll keep looking though! Do you know if these bloom at a smaller size? Mine are quite tiny. 2 inch pots.

[NYCorchidman]

Look for B. Little Stars. This is a very common primary hybrid and very easy to grow. similar flowers and very nice nocturnal fragrance.

Pot size does not tell me much. How tall are the plant? and how many are there? well, some nodosa can be very small. there's a variety called mini mouse. lol

[Tschimm]

Another one would be Rhynchovola 'Jimmeney Cricket'
B. nodosa X Rhyncholaelia digbyana

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Tschimm

Another one would be Rhynchovola 'Jimmeney Cricket'
B. nodosa X Rhyncholaelia digbyana

I already have a nice awarded clone.
It is a summer bloomer, so I like it.
All my nodosa and other hybrids flower in the winter.

[Tschimm]

Then you may want to try B. tuberculata. Mine booms around June

[RandomGemini]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Look for B. Little Stars. This is a very common primary hybrid and very easy to grow. similar flowers and very nice nocturnal fragrance.



Pot size does not tell me much. How tall are the plant? and how many are there? well, some nodosa can be very small. there's a variety called mini mouse. lol

The plants are around 4 to 5 inches tall and they have probably between 10 and 20 growths/leaves/pseudobulbs. I actually never bothered to research this species much beyond its conditions. Mine just grow and grow. They keep adding new growth all the time!

[NYCorchidman]

Well, that height is rather short even for nodosa but then there are such short varieties, a wellknown one being "Minnie Mouse" or something.
The number of the growth to me indicate they are more than old enough to bloom.
What light do you give yours?
These need a lot of light. I grow mine in full sun on my windowsill.
I have seen these growing outside in Hawaii in full sun. It was a massive clump loaded with hundreds of flowers.
So check your light and up the light if you think that's the possible cause.

---------- Post added at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:15 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Tschimm

Then you may want to try B. tuberculata. Mine booms around June

One of my B. Little Stars looks almost identical to B. tuberculata.
How does the fragrance compare?

[Tschimm]

Unfortunately I can't compare as I don't grow Little Stars (yet )
tuberculata has a quite strong scent.
Syn. is B. fragrans 😉

[RandomGemini]

Thanks! I grow mine with my Cattleyas, but I can move it closer to the light. The leaves are spotted with purple, so I figured they were getting plenty of light.