Brassavola Nodosa - Orchid Board

Casa Silas · #1 02-06-2008, 02:49 PM

This is my first orchid here in Nicaragua. It's bloomed only a few weeks after purchase. I've hung it in the centre of a Ficus tree to protect it from the full sun here. I'm not sure whether this would have been a one spaces orchid or a cloud forest shaded orchid. I believe it is an Brassavola Nodosa based on what I've seen in Patrick Werners' book An Introduction To Nicaraguan Orchids. I'd like to propagate this but, I'm sure that information is elsewhere on this forum.

Ross · #2 02-06-2008, 03:06 PM

Looks like B. nodosa, or one of it's hybrids, to me. They like pretty strong light.

Casa Silas · #3 02-06-2008, 03:08 PM

Thanks Ross, I'll move it to a brighter location. What about watering - mositure?

Ross · #4 02-06-2008, 03:41 PM

They like to be watered or soaked, but like to dry out between waterings. I am sure your natural humidity will be fine. Be sure to fertilize during the growing periods. Be sure to avoid full sun during mid day in your climate. I would say early morning sun and late afternoon sun but sort-of shady mid day would be best.

Casa Silas · #5 02-06-2008, 04:07 PM

This orchid was bought growing in burlap attached to a rotted piece of 2 x 2. I'm guessing a water soluble fertilizer, but of what constituent?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

They like to be watered or soaked, but like to dry out between waterings. I am sure your natural humidity will be fine. Be sure to fertilize during the growing periods. Be sure to avoid full sun during mid day in your climate. I would say early morning sun and late afternoon sun but sort-of shady mid day would be best.

Ross · #6 02-06-2008, 04:18 PM

Check this web site Fertilizer PPM Calculator Scroll way down near the bottom and plug in the percent nitrogen for the fertilizer you are planning to use (you have purchased some fertilizer, right?) You want 125ppm (just type in 125) as a target for every time fertilizing (what I mean is, every time you water, dunk, your plant in solution, you will be fertilizing + watering). So 125 goes in the right-hand box. The left-hand box should contain the Nitrogen percent from the label of your fertilizer so 20-20-20 would be .62 milliliters fertilizer per liter of water. Does this help?

maitaman · #7 02-06-2008, 04:50 PM

I'm just south in Panama' and find nodosas all along the Caribbean coast. They seem to like fair shade to fairly strong sunlight and are salt tolerant, some growing where salt spray often reaches them. They grow well on cork or hardwood that allows regular watering but dry out between. Not picky about fertilizer. Do well with none here.

Casa Silas · #8 02-06-2008, 05:15 PM

That page will be a terrific bookmark. Thanks

Ross · #9 02-06-2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maitaman

I'm just south in Panama' and find nodosas all along the Caribbean coast. They seem to like fair shade to fairly strong sunlight and are salt tolerant, some growing where salt spray often reaches them. They grow well on cork or hardwood that allows regular watering but dry out between. Not picky about fertilizer. Do well with none here.

Good point! Who fertilizes these guys in nature?

I don't think the salt does them any good, just that they tolerate it. I suspect the sea breezes at night and fog wash the salt away. I wouldn't add salt to the diet, but we are in agreement about drying and the light?

Casa Silas · #10 02-06-2008, 05:18 PM

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?