brassavola little stars on driftwood

[bonsai1504]

i just divides my brassavola little stars (only took 4 out of 20 leaves) and mounted it on one of the pieces of driftwood i found at lake travis. also, is this division big enough to bloom?

[Lorraine]

Nice job mounting. I'm not sure how often 'Little Stars' blooms (I got one recently) but it looks to me like a nice division. If you are ever in doubt add a couple more bulbs to your count before dividing. I usually don't go less than 4 mostly 5-6 or more depending on the size of the Mother plant. I figure on giving the plant enough strength to get it's new roots going.
Nice piece of driftwood you found I love mounting on driftwood. I can water often an not worry since it drys out overnight

[bonsai1504]

the water in the lake is down so much that there is driftwood all over the place i need to go collect more soon!

[Ross]

I don't grow full-sized Brassavola, only minis, but my experience is the plants need to be of some size before blooming. You did a great job mounting. Will this outgrow the driftwood? I'm not familiar with that size plant.

[bonsai1504]

the plant will completely cover this piece of driftwood and become a huge ball of flowers and foliage.

[Royal]

Looks like you have some decent roots and a good strong lead growing point. It could bloom for you this winter depending on how quickly it settles in from the shock of being divided. I've found Little Stars to be pretty indifferent to trauma - it just keeps on growing.

Nice job on the mount. It will take over the whole thing eventually. It should be a very cool specimen on that piece of driftwood.

I've been to Lake Travis, did my SCUBA certification dive there. Isn't there an old forest on the lake floor? Just wondering what kind of wood it might be.

[Leisurely]

Does Brassovola Little Stars have an erratic growth habit or do I just have a "wild" plant? My plant grows like a vigorous weed. It produces about fifteen new growth each year and then blooms all at one time in late fall or winter. The problem with the plant is that a lot of the new growth seems to want to lay down flat and has to be supported upright to provide a neater appearance of the plant.

[Royal]

Mine is wild too, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Try mounting a piece like Bonsai and just let it go "wild".

[bonsai1504]

i agree, wild is good! also, i grow mine outside in almost full sun.

[bonsai1504]

Originally Posted by Leisurely

The problem with the plant is that a lot of the new growth seems to want to lay down flat and has to be supported upright to provide a neater appearance of the plant.

i think that these orchids look better growing wild and not being supported.