Brassavola grandiflora

Also known as: The Large Flowered Brassavola or Brassavola nodosa var. grandiflora in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Guatemala Honduras Panama

General Information

The Large Flowered Brassavola is a sympodial warm to hot growing orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Guatemala, Honduras and Panama.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 23cm. Each new growth has a single thick erect, arching leaf that grows to 1-17cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 5cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark

Climate

Grows at low elevations. Rainfall ranges from 1mm to 142mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in February. Temperature ranges from 23C to 31C, highest in April (26C to 31C) and lowest in January (23C to 28C).

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

Due to the growth nature of these plants they are best mounted onto cork, tree fern slabs, or even trees if the climate suits. Water regularly especially in hot weather.

This plant does well mounted.