Brassavola  They are  Epiphytes

Brassavola are the orchids first brought to mind when orchids are mentioned and are among the easiest to grow. Through hybridization they are available in an assortment of bright colors as well as the popular white and purple  They affected on many hybridizations. Older varieties bloomed once a year, but newer hybrids bloom several times a year. Brassavola  require a bright window and watering when quite dry in the summer, and very little water but bright light during the winter dormant period.

   Light & Water

Brassavolas prefer bright light, similar to light Cattleya Orchids prefer. 2000-3000 foot candles is ideal if you have a light meter. As with all Orchids,

 Brassavola and their relatives  require a good amount of light. They enjoyfull sun in the morning, but will require shading from about 11am-3pm; less shading will be necessary in the late afternoon. Their leaves should be a light green color, and a darker green color indicates too little sun. 

 Basically, Brassavola grow best when their potting medium becomes dry in between waterings. These plants are epiphytes in nature,  and are used to drying out between the rains of their natural habitat.

Temperature

 The ideal day temperature is 75-85  F,(20-30 C), while the ideal night temperature is 60-65  F,(16-18 C) . Occasional temperature extremes are tolerated if exposure is not prolonged.

Humidity

Brassavola enjoy moist air, requiring a minimum of 50-60% humidity in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Humidity should be increased with higher temperatures. The ideal humidity is between 55 and 85%, with as much ventilation or air movement as possible without any cold drafts. Humidity can be increased around the plant by placing the pot on an inverted saucer in a baking pan filled with pebbles, rock chips, etc., and water. Keep water level below top of pebbles so that the plant will not have "wet feet" from setting in water. Morning misting of foliage is also helpful, especially during periods of hot weather

Feeding & Repot

High-nitrogen fertilizers can be used year round. Feed ("Weekly Weakly" (at 1/4 strength once a week

 Brassavola should not be repotted unless the plant have outgrown the pot (every 2 or 3 years) or when the potting medium begins to deteriorate. Or when the mixture become sour, does not drain rapidly and is invaded by snow mold or shows green mold on the surface. A coarse medium such as medium-grade Fir-bark, or coarse-grade Fir-bark will work well.

Tip 

 Plants can be placed on trays of moist pebbles to help create local humidity.

   Brassia They are Epiphytes

  Light and Temperature

 Bright filtered light with no direct sun. Leaves should be medium green in color with a slight pinkish tinge which indicates maximum light levels around 1,000-1500 foot-candles. Maintain a cool environment with good air circulation, 70°-75°F (21-24 Celsius) day temps and 50°-55°F (10-13 Celsius) at night.

Good Light and. Bad Light
Light is a key factor in growing healthy orchids. Direct sunlight may cause plants to burn, and too little light will prevent plants from flowering. An ideal location is behind curtains or window blinds. If you receive your plant by mail, expose it to light gradually in stages over a period of several weeks.
Leaf color is a good indicator of the amount of light a plant is receiving. Orchids should have bright green, healthy leaves. Dark green leaves indicate that a plant is getting insufficient light, and yellowish-green or red leaves indicate that a plant is getting too much light. If you suspect a plant is exposed to too much light, feel the leaves. If they feel noticeably warmer than the surrounding air, move the plant to a location with less intense brightness.

Watering and Feeding

 Plants should not be allowed to dry completely. Water when almost dry. The pseudobulbs will shrivel slightly if the plant is too dry. Feed Dyna-Gro™ Liquid Grow 7-9-5 at the rate of 1/2 tsp./gal. with each watering.

To promote flowering, feed Dyna-Gro™ Liquid Bloom 3-12-6 or Mag-Pro™ 2-15-4 at the same rates and frequencies beginning 4-5 weeks before flower spike initiation.

Humidity

Brassia  enjoy moist air, requiring a minimum of 40-50% humidity in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Humidity should be increased with higher temperatures. The ideal humidity is between 55 and 75%, with as much ventilation or air movement as possible without any cold drafts. Humidity can be increased around the plant by placing the pot on an inverted saucer in a baking pan filled with pebbles, rock chips, etc., and water. Keep water level below top of pebbles so that the plant will not have "wet feet" from setting in water. Morning misting of foliage is also helpful, especially during periods of hot weather.

Repotting & Repot

 Plants should be repotted at least every two years or when the potting mix has broken down. Odonts prefer Fine Dyna-Rok II or a fine grade fir bark. After removing all the dead or rotted roots, choose a pot where the roots fit somewhat snugly. Do not over pot. The best time to repot is when a new growth is 1-3 inches long.

  Repot every two to three years from February to June with a well-draining medium. Fine bark is suitable in mild summer climates, while a finer medium Orchid Mix works well in warmer summer areas.