Brassavola subulifolia (syn. Brassavola cordata)

Brassavola subulifolia (syn. Brassavola cordata) is a species of epiphytic orchid in the Brassavola genus, commonly called the Heart‑Lipped Brassavola. It is endemic to Jamaica and grows on trees in warm, lowland habitats.

Features:

• Growth habit: Epiphytic orchid with cylindrical (terete), somewhat stout stems and single terete leaf per growth.

• Flowers:
  • Produced in dense clusters (often 6–20 flowers) on inflorescences.
  • Color: Lime green sepals/petals with a contrasting broad white lip.
  • Fragrance: Sweet citrus or tropical scent emitted at night to attract moth pollinators (hence the common “lady‑of‑the‑night” orchid trait shared with other Brassavola species).
  • Often blooms more than once per year under good conditions.

Care Tips:

• Light: Provide bright light with some direct sun (especially morning or late afternoon). Bright indirect light helps promote flowering, and dark green leaves often indicate too little light.

• Temperature: Enjoys warm to intermediate temperatures. Typical Brassavola range is about 18–29 °C (65–85 °F) with slightly cooler nights, which can help encourage blooms.

• Watering: Water thoroughly when the medium begins to dry; do not let roots sit soggy. On mounts or in baskets, water more frequently so roots don’t stay dry too long. Reduce watering moderately in cooler months.

• Humidity & Airflow: Moderate to high humidity (roughly 50–70%) with good airflow keeps plants healthy and prevents rot.

• Growing Medium: Best grown mounted on bark/cork/tree fern or in a very free‑draining orchid mix (large bark or similar), as roots need plenty of air.

• Fertilizer: Apply a diluted balanced orchid fertilizer during the growing season to support growth and blooms. Many growers use a fertilizer at about ¼–½ strength regularly.

• Repotting: If potted, repot every couple of years when the medium breaks down. Mounted plants generally stay longer without repotting but may need remounting as they grow.