Brassavola Jimminey Cricket watering tips please

[aviator.nic]

I just recently got a Brassavola (it was on sale) without knowing ANYTHING about them. I've read a little on their culture...but I still have questions about watering. In the growing season, should they stay moist between waterings (like a cym) or should they be allowed to dry out completely?

When I first got it, the pot was full of algae and the medium appeared to be rotten coir pieces. I don't want it too look like that again. I repotted it in medium fir bark w/ perlite and charcoal. I had to remove more than half the roots because of rot (old sphag may be the culprit).

Also, I have only low-light options in my apartment (NE or NW windows). Is 2 hours of direct sunlight daily sufficient, or should it be supplemented? In the winter time it would get no direct sunlight...

Any suggestions are appreciated, Thanks!

Nic

[jerrymeola]

Bassovola are in the cattleya alliance and should dry out between waterings

[PhalPal]

Originally Posted by aviator.nic

Also, I have only low-light options in my apartment (NE or NW windows). Is 2 hours of direct sunlight daily sufficient, or should it be supplemented? In the winter time it would get no direct sunlight...

Brassavola LOVE to be mounted and treated just like you would a Catt, as Jerry stated above. I mount mine with sphagnum and let it get crunchy dry before watering again.
I don't think you will have enough light to bloom this type of orchid. I am sure you know that Catts are high light requiring orchids and it is tough to bloom them in most windowsills. In fact, I'm not sure you will have enough light in winter to bloom a Phal?? What are you growing now and what have you had success with???

[jgiguere17]

what do they look like?

[digitalgate]

2 hours is very short.I guess referring to 11am to 1 am sunlight right? that is way too strong for the plant. Short and strong sunlight is bad for plant. It take sometime for the photosynthesis cell to work up. By that time it is in the shade again. It there a way you can increase that to 4 hours of diffused sunlight?

[aviator.nic]

I actually get a lot of morning sun. It gets direct sunlight currently from about 7am to 9/10ish. I think this will increase until solstice (June 21). However, I know winter time lighting will be a problem. I am getting a grow light to increase the daylight hours. we only get about 8hrs of daylight (not necessarily SUN) in the winter. I have lived here less than a year, so I'm still trying to figure things out. I have 2 cyms that seem to be quite happy and are growing like crazy. One of them is blooming. I also have a Bollopetalum that seems to be happy enough in the window sill.

Thanks for the watering advice! I definitely was leaving it too moist by the sounds of it. I will try to post some photos!

[PhalPal]

Well if you can get a cym to bloom in the same window, a phal will do just fine!!!