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Specific additional cultural information
Philip C. Tomlinson © 1998
For basic cultural information, refer to the Cattleya Culture page. Seasonal cultural information is
also included with that data. The following page details specific cultural pointers for the genus
BRASSAVOLA, and should be read with the basic information presented elsewhere.
BRASSAVOLA culture
For a discussion of the general cultural requirements for brassavola, refer to
the discussion on cattleyas. Those notes indicate
the seasonal culture applicable to these plants. The following is intended to supplement those general notes with
specific requirements for brassavola.
The genus Brassavola, closely allied to Laelia, and contains a few striking and fragrant
flowers.
The plant known for many years as Brassavola digbyana has in recent years been transferred to its own genus, as Rhyncholaelia digbyana, although was considered for many years a member of one section of the Genus Brassavola. Non
many species of this group are in common cultivation, Brassavola digbyana with its striking frilled lip is widely cultivated, with Brassavola nodosa less often seen, although well worth culltivating.
Both plants are naturally exposed to dry conditions, and their growth habit and structure will
confirm this fact. For a description of the habitat refer to the Habitat
desert page for specific habitat information.
The plants require intermediate conditions. THey require full sun in winter with only misting of
the plants; watering generally must be restricted, with increasing humidity in spring and summer. It
is important that very free drainage be provided, and often slab mounting will be the preferred method of culture.
The plants are moth pollinated, producing pale coloured flowers which are striking, and produce delightful
fragrance in the early evening.
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8.2.2000
