Troubleshooting
Lady of the Night problems — and how to fix them
Lady of the Night (Brassavola nodosa) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Root rot
Caused by overwatering or poor drainage; allow the medium to dry between waterings and ensure the pot or mount has excellent airflow.
Failure to bloom
Usually due to insufficient light or the absence of a cool autumn night-temperature drop (13-16°C); a few weeks of cooler nights triggers spike initiation.
Scale insects
Check the backs of leaves and pseudobulb bases regularly; treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab or a systemic insecticide labelled for orchids.
Leaf yellowing
Older lower leaves yellowing naturally is normal; widespread yellowing often signals too much direct sun or waterlogged roots.
Prevent lady of the night problems before they start
Most lady of the night issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Lady of the Night problems — FAQ
Why is my lady of the night root rot?
Caused by overwatering or poor drainage; allow the medium to dry between waterings and ensure the pot or mount has excellent airflow.
Why is my lady of the night failure to bloom?
Usually due to insufficient light or the absence of a cool autumn night-temperature drop (13-16°C); a few weeks of cooler nights triggers spike initiation.
Why is my lady of the night scale insects?
Check the backs of leaves and pseudobulb bases regularly; treat with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab or a systemic insecticide labelled for orchids.
Why is my lady of the night leaf yellowing?
Older lower leaves yellowing naturally is normal; widespread yellowing often signals too much direct sun or waterlogged roots.