Brassavola cucullata

B. cucullata ranges through a number of warmer regions of Mexico south through Central America and various islands in the West Indies and Caribbean. Just like B. nodosa, this orchid is night fragrant, although not generally as strongly as B. nodosa. the scent is also different... different enough that my wife likes the fragrance of this orchid, but despises that of B. nodosa.

This photo was taken last summer just after acquiring this orchid, so I don't know for sure if the yellowish color is due to flower age or a general difference in coloration...most photos I've seen tend to show a pinkish to reddish cast to the flowers. One interesting aspect of this flower is the fact that the pedicel (the stem that connects the flower to the flowering stem, containing the ovary) is extremely long and thick on this flower, extending the spidery flowers well out into midair from the plant.

Not a very large plant with very slender pseudobulbs and terete leaves, my plant has struggled through the loss of several new growths to rots while indoors, I now have one nearly mature growth and two just starting... here's hoping I get new "spikes" ("thingies" for you botanical purists) soon.



Enjoy!

---Prem

Prem, I like the long petals on that one. Hope that it spikes for you!

if cochleata is a squid, this one must be a giant squid

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Jason

I dunno...being from Florida, it looks like a giant white version of the state bird (the mosquito) to me

---Prem

Imagine a giant squid and its "spike thingy" trying to get it on with a mosquito!

OMG. I been talking to H too much....


Prem, that's a really nice variation on the nodosa. I've never seen a cucullata before. Thanks for putting up the pic and all of that good info!

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Louis J. Aszod

Hey I got yelled at for thinking that way! Isn't this a 'G' rated website, Louis? And from the admin to boot!

Hi ... thank you VERY much for the beautiful picture of the b. cucullata!!

It is always exciting when mine blooms ... and the next time it does, I promised the orchid folks to bring it in for them to see, since they said they never saw it bloom. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

I'm in southern California ... and have had this beauty for about 4 years ... and it has bloomed 3 times, that I can recall.

How wonderful that this site exists!

Welcome, Marny!

Julie

Welcome Marny!

Do you grow this outside in Ca? Or do you have a greenhouse / hothouse / etc etc... I've seen these around but have not taken the plunge to buy one as I am still trying to learn how to grow my other brassavola.. ie nodosa... so any culture advise would be appreciated...

cheers
tim