Culture of brassias is similar to that of cattleyas but with little more shade and should not be allowed to dry out completely.
Brassia is sometimes called the “Spider Orchid’.
Crosses of Brassia with other genera help increase plant vigor and flower size. These intergeneric crosses also help the plants to grow in a wider range of temperature and also make them a more forgiving plant for beginners.
Some of the crosses are:
Miltassia = Miltonia x Brassia
Aliceara = Brassia x Oncidium x Miltonia
Brassidium = Brassia x Oncidium
Temperature: 55 to 60 F night; 80 to 85 F during the day. If temperatures rise into the 90’s, increase humidity and air movement.
Light: A shadow should be detected when placing hand 10”-12” above plant. This is the quality of light required for at least 6 hours a day.
WATER: Always water plant in the morning with room temperature water. Watering should be thorough, and the medium should dry at least halfway through the pot before watering again. Frequency will depend on your climate, pot size and material (clay or plastic), and type of potting medium.
Humidity: 40-60%. If you do not have adequate humidity, place the plant above pebbles in saucer or tray filled with water making sure the pot is not sitting in the water.
Fertilizer: The easiest way to feed the orchid is to give it a weak solution (1//2 to 1/3 dilution) of fertilizer every time it is watered. Application of high nitrogen formulation (30-10-10) should be used in a bark-based medium. An even numbered formulation (20-20-20) should be used in other media or on slabs.
Potting
When the plant is outgrowing the pot or when the medium is breaking down and holding too much moisture (usually happens in 2 years) then it is time to repot. Potting should be done when new growth is about 4 inches tall. Use medium bark making sure the plant is positioned in the pot so that the newest growth is farthest away from the edge of the pot, allowing room for growth.
GOOD LUCK!
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