The name for these exquisite came from a Venetian nobleman and doctor by the name of Antonio Musa Brassavola and is abbreviated B. in orchid trade journals. It was thought that the first tropical orchid to emanate from the Caribbean island of Curacao to Holland was the Brassavola nodosa in 1698.

This was the beginning of the propagation of this particular orchid and mankind’s fascination for orchids in general. The Brassavola is actually closely related to Laelia and Cattleya orchids and have been used extensively for crossing of orchids, like the Blc. or Brassolaeliacattleya genus.

Most Brassavola orchids are epiphytes while a few of the specie are lithophytes. Epiphyte just means that they have modified aerial roots that can be as much as a few meters long, (12 feet). Lithophytes are those plants that will live/grow on stones or in crevices and get its food from the atmosphere. Native to the lowlands of tropical South America and the lowlands of Central America, the genus has twenty species of small to medium sized orchids in the Orchidaceae family. I love the heart shape of these graceful white or greenish-white blossoms that are elongated with a lip that is wider and flaring. The plant has succulent, fleshy leaves that grow on an elongated, pencil-like psuedobulb (storage organ that grows out of the stem between two leaves).

The base of the broad and occasional fringed lip of the blossom partially enfolds the column which has a pair of ears on each side of the front of it and contains eight to twelve pollinia. Since most Brassavola flowers are extremely fragrant with a citrusy smell, they easily attract the insects for pollination. However, they are fragrant at night so that they’ll attract the correct moth to accomplish this in the wild. Depending on the species, the flowers live between five and thirty days which is quite a long period of time.

If you are growing them at home, the plant prefers to dry out after the pseudobulbs complete their growth. You should water about once a week and feed about once every two weeks during it’s growing season. The Brassavola orchid will grow well in medium to bright light and intermediate temperatures. When you pot them, they prefer perlite and medium bark or you can use sphagnum moss.

You can easily tell how much light each orchid needs by keeping an eye on the color of the leaves. For most plants, the leaves should be a light green. If they become yellow, move the plant to a shadier area in your yard or home. Dark green? Move them into more light. If they’re getting too much light, spots may appear on the leaves or they may darken, like getting a suntan. It is trying to protect itself from burning from the sun. Also, air movement is crucial because orchids are exposed to breezes in their natural habitat. It helps reduce diseases and cuts down on cold or hot spots. A carefully place fan can accomplish this for you.

The proper humidity is also extremely important. The average home has only about 30% humidity due to being heated. Having carpets and drapes also cuts down on humidity. There’s no reason to go to great expense. Simply create a humidity tray out of a tray, gravel and water. The evaporating water helps any plant thrive in a dry environment but make sure that no plant actually sits in the water in the tray – they must be raised. Always pay attention to the instructions that come with any plants you buy and follow them faithfully. That’s worked for me. Not all orchids like all areas of the country, indoors or out.

If you like the Brassavola, the following species would be fun to accumulate and raise. They include, in no particular order, the Brassavola acaulis, martiana, retusa, venosa, tuberculata cebolleta, fragrans perrinii, cordata and tuberculata. They are all gorgeous and will give you many years of fragrant pleasure.

Watch a magnificent Brassavola Yaki orchid gently sway to some fabulous music.

Additional information about the Brassavola orchid plants can be found at the following links:

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Filed under: Orchid Species

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