Brassavola martiana

Also known as: Von Martin's Brassavola or Brassavola martiana var. multiflora Brassavola multiflora Brassavola amazonica Bletia amazonica Brassavola duckeana in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Amazonas - Brazil Amazonas - Colombia Departamento del Huila - Colombia Sao Paulo - Brazil

General Information

Von Martin's Brassavola is a medium to large sized sympodial warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil and Colombia. It is named after the German orchid collector and Botanist in Brazil in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 35cm. Each new growth has a single terete shaped leaf that grows to 20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 15cm. The plant forms pendant or arching growths

Flowers

Numerous long lasting, fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is most fragrant during the night.

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 56mm to 183mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in October. Humidity ranges from 81% to 88%, highest in June and lowest in April. Temperature ranges from 17C to 30C, highest in September (19C to 30C) and lowest in January (17C to 27C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

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.

Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. 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

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs.