Brassavola nodosa

Also known as: Lady of the Night or Knobby Brassavola or Brassavola nodosa h.v. Major Brassavola rhopalorrhachis Brassavola scaposa Cymbidium nodosum Epidendrum nodosum Brassavola nodosa var. rhopalorrhachis Bletia rhopalorrhachis in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Chiapas - Mexico Departamento del Huila - Colombia

General Information

Lady of the Night or Knobby Brassavola is a medium to large sized warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Mexico and Colombia.

Plant Description

Grows to 38-46cm. Each new growth has a single thick erect, terete shaped leaf that grows to 0.3-30cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 15cm

Flowers

Numerous long lasting, fragrant blossoms appear during Winter

Fragrance

The orchid is most fragrant during the night.

Blooming Season

• Winter

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark

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 elevations. Rainfall ranges from 8mm to 345mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 77% to 83%, highest in February and lowest in October. Temperature ranges from 19C to 31C, highest in June (24C to 31C) and lowest in January (19C to 25C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a constant supply of moisture, with a slight drying out between waterings. Saucers can be placed under pots to retain moisture during hot weather, however the saucers should be removed or let to dry every 1-2 weeks to prevent rot. Keep an eye on the plant especially in hot weather and look for cues of under/overwatering and adjust accordingly.

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

Fertiliser

These orchids do not need to be regularly fertilised and roots may be sensitive to salt build-up, dying back and therefore impairing the plants growth or even killing it.

If fertilising, use half to quarter of the recommended amount of fertiliser. If they receive fertiliser as part of a collection, be sure to flush out the pots regularly with fresh water and monitor the roots by checking how much resistance is given by the plant when nudged in its pot or mount. If the plant becomes wobbly or loose, repot in fresh mix or rinse the media/mount thoroughly and do not fertilise for at least 3 months.

Use balanced fertiliser year round. Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. This plant is sensitive so apply fertiliser sparingly at one quarter recommended strength or less. Use a low Nitrogen fertiliser year round. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser year round.

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,