Brassavola nodosa - Orchid Board

euplusia · #1 08-12-2015, 07:33 PM

A widespread species that comes in many varieties or ecotypes. This one is from Venezuela, as reported from an arid private ground abused for trashing building rubble, where it grew epiphytic on a candelaber cactus. A division was given to me by a Venezuelan more than 30 years ago. The plant sits in a selfmade wood basket as used for Vandas for more than 25 years now. It once was bigger with more flowers. I keep it high up in my greenhouse under the glass.
In April 2012 while visiting an orchid congress in Budapest (thanks again to our Hungarian friends for this great show) a blackout during sunny late morning hours caused temps of 48 -56 °C in the top of my greenhouse and burned many plants. This Brassavola looked totally ruined except a small north facing edge - but all the roots had survived. So I left it untouched. Within 3 years the plant recovered, and now I can eye it and smell it again with pleasure.
I've portrayed the situation because I grow this plant in the same spot as Rhyncholaelia digbyana, Myrmecophila tibicinis and C. lueddemanniana.
Many other Brassavolas however (perrinii, subulifolia, cucullata, tuberculata and flagellaris) prefer to be grown potted, with less intense light and more water.

DeaC · #2 08-12-2015, 07:49 PM

WOW,unbelievably magnificent! Am sure you've heard such compliments before but so well deserved.A piece more than 30 yrs old has become gargantuan even having experienced such a heat related event. My small David Sander has given me a bloom,first one and first time I've had success with a Brassavola. Give it full sun most of the day and does repay me with some fragrance at night. I'm happy!