Brassavola Nodosa

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Casa Silas

I'll play it by ear then. Thanks for the information. I bought it from a small grower in Catarina, about 300m above sea level I think. He had it in a garden in full sun. I'll watch and see. I was pleased it bloomed so quick (2 weeks after purchase) Oh, when the bloom dies does it atrophy or should I clip it off. Is there seed potential if it were to become pollinated?

Seed will be determined by pollinators. If it's outside, there's a good chance. As for atrophy, it will just shrivel and fall off. If it's been pollinated that may occur quickly and leave a nice fat seed area behind. It'll be obvious.

[kavanaru]

Hi Ross, I can confirm from my own experience with this species in venezuela, that they do not seem to be very sensible to salt... I have seen them growing on the coast on mangroves and on rocks on the direct sun and being regularly watered by the caribbean waves... I can put my hand on fire for a single plant (several years old!) growing on a mangrove next to the house of a friend of mine, which even had salt cristal on its leaves and was producing abundant flowers every year!
I will contact my friend, as he possibly can have pictures of this plant, and if so, I will post them here...

For me this species loves so much sun, that I am not sure if I would be able to provide it right conditions growing in-house in Europe... Some day I will loose my fear and give it a try

[Ross]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

For me this species loves so much sun, that I am not sure if I would be able to provide it right conditions growing in-house in Europe... Some day I will loose my fear and give it a try

Ramon, I find the same thing. I have several seedlings and a couple blooming size. I really can't provide enough light (30,000 to 40,000 lux) to bloom them properly, but I keep hoping. But I do grow them well (lots of new healthy growth). This summer they go outside into full sun!

[maitaman]

I didn't mean to sound like you should add salt, but they are very tolerant of a large range of conditions. Cstm. virdiflavum and some Galeandras, enc. and epis grow as close (plus nemedias - which are all over the place here.)

[Royal]

Originally Posted by Casa Silas

I'll play it by ear then. Thanks for the information. I bought it from a small grower in Catarina, about 300m above sea level I think. He had it in a garden in full sun. I'll watch and see. I was pleased it bloomed so quick (2 weeks after purchase) Oh, when the bloom dies does it atrophy or should I clip it off. Is there seed potential if it were to become pollinated?

I've got a B. nodosa hybrid in bloom right now with a few seed pods developing. I've got it inside right now, so I've had to pollinate it myself. Leave the flowers on. Once pollinated, they will kind of pucker up and the the ovary will begin to swell. The flower will not usually drop.

On the other hand, if they go unpollinated, the whole thing will dry up and drop off. Just pick them up and toss them. I'll try to take some photos tonight showing both maturing capsules and unpollinated flowers.

Peace, - J

[Royal]

Check my gallery for the pics. Wait, I'll try the linked thumbnail image thing...

[Casa Silas]

Hi there, what am I looking at in that second photo, a seed pod or a new orchid forming?

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

Check my gallery for the pics. Wait, I'll try the linked thumbnail image thing...

[Royal]

It's a seed pod. It was the the little stem part of the flower that attaches to the spike. Really it's a swollen ovary or a fruit.

[Casa Silas]

Do you have to start the seeds in some sort of gel or petri dish?

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

It's a seed pod. It was the the little stem part of the flower that attaches to the spike. Really it's a swollen ovary or a fruit.

[Royal]

Yes. It will be my first try.