Culture

Light

Very bright (2.500-4.000 fc). It is possible to bloom Brassavolas under HID lights, but a south-facing window coupled with a summer outdoors or a bright location in the greenhouse or sunroom will suit them better.

Temperature

Brassavola need intermediate to warm temperatures (55º-65ºF winter nights; summer day maximum of 86ºF)

Humidity, water and fertilization

One of the nice things about brassavolas is their tolerance of lower humidity (around 40%) than most orchids feel comfortable with. The roots of mounted plants will continue to grow at 30%-50% relative humidity, though ideally it should be toward the upper end of this range. Water just enough to keep root tips green and leaves turgid (plump and unwrinckled). If you are growing them mounted indoors, soak the mount and roots for fifteen minutes in a bucket of water once a week and mist every day or two. Allow potted specimens to dry completely between waterings. If the leaves lose turgor, soak twice a week. Apply a light dose of a balanced fertilizer all year, with a few stronger application on spring.

Potting and media

Cork or tree-branch mounts work well. The plants will grow on tree fern, but the thick roots will get badly damaged if you have to remount them. It’s a good solution to use Growing Medium A for all-purpose media.

Brassavolas can easily be divided like Cattleyas in spring or when a new flush of roots just becomes visible. If you pot them, use 3-inch pot for an average-sized division with a well-drained mix like medium-grade fir bark, lava, or pumice.