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Brassavola nodosa without roots

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Chalti, Apr 28, 2021.

  1. Apr 28, 2021 #1
    Chalti

    Chalti Member

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    Hi,

    I have received received a Brassavola nodosa, bought as a medium size plant mounted on cork. Mounted orchids are not a good fit for me, so I unmounted it to find out, that there are actually two plants, with 3-4 bulbs each, one has no alive roots at all, one has one root about 4 cm long. What it the right way to plant them to help out with root growing? Right now they are planted in just cork, with me watering every day, since media dries out very fast on the top... I have only mounted picture: if needed, I can take pictures of them now. 20210423_073954.jpg
     
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  2. Apr 28, 2021 #2
    The Orchidomaniac

    The Orchidomaniac Active Member

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    You should pot the ones with the live roots in sphagnum to encourage new growth. Don't pack down the moss too much, and every week check for new root tips. When you see the little green 'pimples,' pot it up in coarse bark.
    The one without roots should go in a transparent plastic bag full of sphagnum. Check it every few days for roots and new leads. Keep the moss moist, and open it to let it air out and keep fungus from growing. If you do see mold, sprinkle the plant with cinnamon and put it in a new bag with new moss. I wouldn't be too concerned, as Brassavolas are pretty drought tolerant, but you might want soak them in B vitamins if they don't seem to be doing well after a while.
     
  3. Apr 29, 2021 #3
    Chalti

    Chalti Member

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    Thank you! A couple of questions:
    1. Ones with the roots:
    - should the moss stay moist all the time (not siaked, but humid)? Reason I am asking is because I read that Brassavolas like to dry out completely between waterings.

    2. Ones without roots:
    - you mean plastic bag with humid moss, closed and with a ventilation hole on top?
    - I just place orchid on the moss, nothing will rot from constant contact with wet moss?

    I am cautious about those bags, actually... I had a phal without roots, and i read about this method... the whole orchid rotted down in 2 days, all covered with black mold...
     
  4. Apr 29, 2021 #4
    Arne

    Arne Active Member

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    Personally, I would have left the plant on the mount even if the conditions are far from ideal. B. nodosa needs to dry out properly between waterings.

    I even had a mounted Brassavola Little Stars hanging in a window at work for several years and it did very well. I stepped up on the bench in front of the lab window where I'm holding the plant. Sorry for the poor quality of the picture.

    Dec27 c.jpg
     
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  5. Apr 29, 2021 #5
    Chalti

    Chalti Member

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    Arne, thanks for reply! Such a beautiful plant you have on the picture! I couldn’t leave it on the mount, the roots were dead and half decomposed, covered with algae... it didn’t look good. I plan to plant it in an orchitop with just bark, so it can dry out very well. But right now there are no roots, and I don’t know how it will do in pure bark. What would be your suggestions?
     
  6. Apr 29, 2021 #6
    Arne

    Arne Active Member

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    Personally I would just have trimmed off the dead roots, strapped onto a fresh piece of cork and then watered it every day. The plant will soon have new roots (I just did that with four cuttings from the plant in the picture).
    But, if you are worried you can follow the advice above by Orchidomaniac. When it has new roots, put it in, or on top of, the barkmix and secure it with a wire so that it doesn't move the slightest.
     
  7. Apr 30, 2021 #7
    Chalti

    Chalti Member

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    ok, you make me consider options now.. So far I had only mounted bulbophyllums (they came mounted with a bit of sphagnum), but they dried out in a matter of couple of hours, and it was not good for them... but with Brassavola.... would it be OK, if it hangs totally dry for most of the day? Humidity is average house humidity, so it will dry out in a couple of hours...
     
  8. Apr 30, 2021 #8
    Arne

    Arne Active Member

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    I wouldn't hang any Bulbophyllums in a dry window at work, that's for sure.
    Before your Brassavola has grown new roots you can have the mount sitting in a pot with moist sphagnum at the bottom. Hang the plant once the new roots have attached to the mount.

    Make sure the plant really is secured to the mount. Any movement can damage the the new root tips and prevent attachment to the mount.
     
  9. Apr 30, 2021 #9
    Chalti

    Chalti Member

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    Thanks, I will think over what fits best :) But you think it will be fine later, when the roots are grown, to have it hanging dry for most of the day?
     
  10. Apr 30, 2021 #10
    Arne

    Arne Active Member

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    It will do well as long as you care for it, I promise.
     
  11. Apr 30, 2021 #11
    Chalti

    Chalti Member

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    ok, I will try it :) I ended up with 2 plants instead of one, so I will mount one, and have another one in orchitop, and see which works best for my environment :) thanks for input :)
     
  12. Jun 17, 2021 #12
    Chalti

    Chalti Member

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    Ended up mounting one plant on Cork, and having another one in a pot, just to compare how it goes... well, I think I will mount the other one too, seems to be doing better mounted :) 20210617_213426.jpg
     
  13. Jun 17, 2021 #13
    Chalti

    Chalti Member

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    Actually, looking at Arne's picture and mine, is it Nodosa that I have?... suddenly in doubts :)
     
  14. Jun 17, 2021 #14
    Arne

    Arne Active Member

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    Glad it worked out so far. At this point, there is no reason to believe it isn't nodosa.
     
  15. Jun 18, 2021 #15
    Chalti

    Chalti Member

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    thank you :) I was looking at the leaves: on your plant they look wider and more flat, somehow... but true, will see :)