B. nodosa

[Fabolusus]

This is my newest addition, purchased from Longwood Gardens. From what I've read, its requirements are like most other catts except the light requirements are closer to that of oncidiums.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I give my nodosa very high light. Catt light is fine.

[Joaniep]

With the angle of the sun as it is in New York I'm able to keep my B. Nodosa in front of an unprotected southern window without a problem in the winter .

[Fabolusus]

For some reason, orchids.com lists nodosa as low light (800fc). I guess they just say that to sell more

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Here are 2 more sources of info. For the first, note the symbol used for light. It is the same as that for most of the Cattleya species he lists. This is a very good souce for info, but occasioanally he has errors.
http://www.orchidspecies.com/brassavolanodosa.htm
This one is my personal favorite, but, aside from his free sample sheets, you have to pay for the info. Personally, I think it is worth it for many species, and his books are tremendous values.
http://www.orchidculture.com/COD/FREE/FS231.html

[Fabolusus]

Thanks Cynthia! I can definitely give it more light. I guess the real challenge will be getting it to rebloom next year!

[Maddy]

Mine I bought mature size - expected to bloom within a year. It's thriving, but no blooms yet. I have it in a south window right now - no worries about too much sun this time of year in NY.

[jerrymeola]

B. nodosa takes Cattleya levels of light.

All nodosa hybrids are easy to grow, can take fairly large temperature ranges. They are fragrant at night and species nodosa rather than hybrids bloom usually once a year.

[Fabolusus]

I just got a B. nodosa x Bc. maikai in spike.

Maddy, the brassavolas will surprise you. I check my plants one day, and a few days later it has spikes all over it, and I swear they came out overnight.

[heatherbear10]

I live in Central Florida, and bought mine locally. Grower said sun, and the more sun, the more the blooms. I've recently repotted bcse first try at repotting didn't go well. Roots ended up in the wood basket just like they came out of the plastic one, so I soaked with water and g.e.n.t.l.y worked roots apart, then potted in wooden basket with coconut hairs on bottom of basket and bark mix around the roots. It seems to be doing well since I moved it to a sunnier area. Hoping to see some blooms soon! Very pretty and different from what we normally associate with an orchid flower.

I've found that in order to bloom well my brassavola likes to be very tight in the pot. When I do repot, I just move it up to a slightly larger pot and don't disturb the roots, as the plant sulks for months if I do. I give it lots of bright light and water more often since the pot is filled with more roots than medium.

[flaorchidfan]

i bought mine in south florida but live in central florida. it came in a wood "box" with tight roots around the box and several trailing roots. it has bloomed a few small times this past year. should i plant the whole thing in a pot? sounds like they like to be in pots rather than hanging around like vandas???

[Joaniep]

Andrew, at our local orchid society meeting in Ny I've seen a beautifully blooming B. Nodossa in a basket.

[flaorchidfan]

thanks, it has bloomed several times. just trying to maximize it's potential. will probably leave it. don't want to ruin a good thing.