Are my conditions OK for a Brassavola nodosa orchid?
Q. Since hearing your podcast, I've wanted a Brassavola nodosa, especially since the Phalaenopsis I've seen haven't really jumped out at me yet.
Are these conditions OK for a Brassavola nodosa? The place where I keep my plants is:
usually around 65F (60 during the day and 70 at night)
usually hovers between 60-70% humidity.
And should I get a young or mature plant?
— Avi (who later started the Plant Nook Podcast!)
Brassavola nodosa flowers
A. I'd say those conditions would be perfect for this plant. I try to cool mine off at night, but your 60 degree daytime condition should do this trick just fine. (Check out our full episode on these amazing orchids here!)
As for young vs. mature plants, I have purchased seedlings for $10-$15, and mature plants for more like $20-$25, and personally recommend splurging on a mature plant that is already blooming size. This way, you get faster reward, and an established plant, but seedlings are not terribly difficult to grow up—provided you’re willing to be patient for the several years it can take to see your first blooms.
Another thing that’s worth mentioning is that there are a lot of select cultivars of this species, with a variety of special characteristics. These might be in the foliage, like long narrow pencil-like leaves, or thick fleshy upright ones that are broad rather than round, or in the flowers - some cultivars bloom more regularly than others, some have significantly more, but often smaller, flowers than others, others have significantly larger flowers. Some of these cultivars are more prized than others, so this is reflected in pricing, in case you ever come across plants that seem like they are priced far higher than others.
Things to look for regardless of age and cultivar are robust root systems, as many mature growths as possible, and the growth habit you want. Upright cultivars are great for baskets and pots, and they look great mounted, but the more lanky and pendulous cultivars are typically best for baskets or mounting because their form will look better if it’s not crammed in a pot.
We hope this helps!
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Happy Growing!