Ladies of the Night (Genus
Brassavola)
B. nodosa is one
of the most common species of Brassavola and one of the most rewarding orchids
to grow. A native of tropical Mexico, Central America, Brazil, Bolivia, and
Peru, it grows easily with good drainage in a loose medium, on a tree fern
slab, on a piece of cork bark, or in a slat basket. This orchid has been
used extensively in breeding.
B. cuculata probably
grows naturally closer to south Texas than does any other Brassavola.
In tropical areas of northern San Luis Potosi and southern Tamaulipas, Mexico, B.
cucullata can be
relatively common in proper habitat.
This spring and summer blooming
orchid is found in Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina at moderate elevations.
Photo © Allen Black
Brasssavola flagellaris is
from eastern Brazil where it grows as a warm to intermediate growing epiphyte
or llithophyte. In the late spring or early summer it produces 2 to 15
white flowers to an inflorescence. This species is well adapted to south Texas
growing conditions.
Allen Black is a well known hybridzer of
Brassavolas.
Click
here to see examples of some of his
Brassavola crosses.
