Brassavola digbyana -- conditions?
 

I recently purchased this brassavola digbyana, on a mount, from a collector who is leaving town. I know he had it in a greenhouse, which I do not have. I was hoping it would be OK in my bathroom, which has a skylight. But I am worried about the humidity, even with 1-2 showers in there/day.
Would wrapping its roots w/spaghnam moss help or is it one of those that doesn't like its roots wrapped? Misting or spritzing dailiy and a good soak once a week, or did I read somewhere that these folks don't like to be misted? A humidifier?
How little light can it tolerate, and what temps? thanks, Susan

What a coincedence, I have a very large one but did not know it's ID until today. I took it to the nursery that I purchased it from 7 years ago to get it ID'd and was told that it was a Brassavola digbyana and that I was doing something right as I have a very large specimen now.
I don't water it very much and it gets low light as it is in a south facing window. The humidity is about 50%.
I will post a few pictures in a few minutes as I still need to down load them.

Here are some pictures of my Brassavola digbyana.

I have mine in rather high light, mounted, the roots get misted every day.

Orchidwiz says the plant want 2500-4000 fc in lighting and 80% humidity year round.

I would add some sphag moss to the root area of your new mount.

FYI: the new name for this one is:
Rhyncholaelia digbyana

No spag!! These guys like to dry off very quickly and prefer very high light conditions. I have read several different sources saying that in the wild digbyana's are found in fairly dry regions and are sometimes found growing on cactus!! http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ana_7-2-07.JPG
This is a pic of my digbyana growing in full Hawaiian sun and its growing like a weed!! These are definitely great plants to have and they smell very "citrusy" at night when in bloom. They are also pretty hardy plants so I wouldn't worry too much about them!! Definitely err on the dry side though. Good luck!!

thought i would post a pic of one from our show last weekend. pretty impressive

Interesting, Steve :)

Mine is mounted with no sphag either but when I read that they want 80% humidity, I thought the sphag would keep the humidity up.

Thanks for the input :)

My rather young Rl. digbyana gets the treatment recommended by Baker. Slightly dryer in the winter, lots of water during the growing season, and quite bright somewhat filtered light. It's mounted in a basket with chunks of cork, coco chunks, and charcoal. It's bloomed twice for me, has two new growths just starting, and seems to be quite happy. The fragrance is quite nice too. :goodluck:

I really like the color but looks like it needs a haircut. hehe! Wonder if I need one of those....haw heck, sure I do, I'm on the hunt.

Don, I caught the bug a couple of years ago, went on the hunt on ebay, and got a nice one for a fairly reasonable price. I call the hairs ticklers, 'cause when you stick your nose in the flower to capture the scent, they kind of tickle! :lol: