Bought this start as an Epi. Noct. need correct id - Orchid Board

Dollythehun · #1 08-15-2016, 12:13 PM

All, I bought this little start which was laying under an Epi. Nocturnum. I thought at the time it was just a "fall off" of that plant. Upon closer inspection, I realize it is not the same plant at all. I stuck it in some clean moss and a small clay pot and it is outdoors and has rooted in. Eventually, I will have to know what this is. The leaves are thick and waxy and they have a pronounced rib down the middle. The roots were thick like a Phal. Judging by the waxy leaves, I'd guess it should be mounted and since it is August in Indiana, I'd better figure this out. I'm trying to embed a picture as attaching from my phone didn't work.

PaphMadMan · #2 08-15-2016, 08:40 PM

My first impression is Brassavola perrinii or a similar species. But I'm not sure what you mean by a rib. Is it a raised ridge or a groove? Front or back of the leaf?

Dollythehun · #3 08-15-2016, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

My first impression is Brassavola perrinii or a similar species. But I'm not sure what you mean by a rib. Is it a raised ridge or a groove? Front or back of the leaf?

The rib is on the topside of the leaf. It almost looks like it was rolled up on the sides. No psuedobulbs present, just a crown, 3 leaves and some nice fat roots.

---------- Post added at 07:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:25 PM ----------

A groove.

---------- Post added at 08:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:26 PM ----------

You are correct. It is Brassalova perrinii. Yikes! All the pictures show it mounted (gasp!). I know nothing: light, mounting, feeding. I better get it out of that pot! Please advise me.

PaphMadMan · #4 08-15-2016, 11:01 PM

There are several species of Brassavola with similar appearance, so ID can't be certain.

Brassavola perrinii is a cool growing plant, though it may tolerate intermediate conditions. Often grown mounted because it can be somewhat to very pendant in habit, and needs perfect drainage. Bright light. Think of it growing exposed on the side of a cliff and you'll get the idea.

katrina · #5 08-15-2016, 11:02 PM

Don't be so quick to jump to perrinii...more than one brassavola looks like that. You'll have to wait until you get blooms...and even then it could be hard to know which one you have, for certain.

They all appreciate high light and definitely need to dry out between waterings. I grow some potted, some mounted, and some in kind of a mix of the 2 set ups. They like a lot of water when in active growth BUT the roots need to dry relatively quickly...for the most part.

And when I say high light...once acclimated, I grow some in full afternoon sun during the warm months. I'm in ohio though...don't know if they'd be ok in full sun further south.

catherinecarney · #6 08-15-2016, 11:03 PM

I just looked Brassavola perrinii up on the IOSPE website (great resource, BTW) and it's listed as a cool to cold growing epiphyte found growin at elevations around 2000 meters about sea level.

Grrr....looked it up on Cattleya Source and it's listed as warm to hot growing (which is more in keeping with the terete leaves)....Goes to show that sometimes you have to do some digging through multiple sources and trust your own judgement....It is listed as being fragrant (and is synonymous with B. fragrans according to Cattleya Source).

I don't have any direct experience with this species (just B. nodosa and some of its primary hybrids), but I'm pretty sure there are members experienced with this species who will chime in.

My guess is it hasn't read the books about temps if it's growing well for you in outdoor temps in Indiana (lol), and I wouldn't worry about mounting it as long as it's got healthy roots in the media you're using and is doing well.

Good luck with it!

Catherine

Fernando · #7 08-16-2016, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katrina

...once acclimated, I grow some in full afternoon sun during the warm months. I'm in ohio though...don't know if they'd be ok in full sun further south.

I do. Half the day full sun. I live 28 latitude north - I believe that would be Texas and Florida en the USA.

katrina · #8 08-16-2016, 07:01 AM

I grow perrinii in intermediate temps and it grows and blooms happily.

The ONLY brassavola that I find to be a tad fussy is acaulis but once it gets some size on it, it seems to do well. I have three acaulis and that trait seems to run the whole group of them but the others...all easy growers if given sufficient light year round and you pay attention making sure the roots are not soggy for long stretches.

Dollythehun · #9 08-16-2016, 09:22 AM

You guys are great! It's in moss, I just stuck it there and it's in a bright shady spot. I'll gradually move it to a brighter spot and read up on how to mount it.

As to light & temp: it can have intermediate temps and bright light East and south windows. But N. Indiana seldom gets full sun in winter. That seemed to be the problem w my cats. Great roots and foliage but no blooms. But, Wilsonia, Oncidium and species Dendrobiums do well there.Thanks for all your input. I'm going to do some research myself now. Wow. An exciting new challenge.

catherinecarney · #10 08-16-2016, 11:57 AM

I grow my high light Catt alliance orchids (brassavolas, catts, encyclias, epidendrums, laelias, and their hybrids) in a south window for the winter supplemented with T-5 strip lights. Growth does slow down for the winter, probably due to both the lower light and the cooler (low 70's daytime, low 60's night time) temps.

I have successfully bloomed my late winter/spring catt alliance orchids and some of the "easy" dens (kingianum) with this system for the past couple of years. My biggest issue is not overwatering.

Catherine