Brassia – Spider Orchid –

Description

Brassia – Spider Orchid – There are about 50 species of evergreen, epiphytic orchids, in this genus. They occur at altitudes of 2,500-5,200′ feet high in tropical regions on North, Central, and South America and the West Indies. They have horizontal to upright 5rhizomes and compressed, ovoid-spherical to cylindrical pseudobulbs, each with 1-3 large strap shaped to oblong-lance shaped leaves. Racemes or arching sprays of up to 12 or more spider like, fragrant, long petaled, yellow to green flowers are laterally from the pseudobulbs bases from spring to early summer. Cool growing orchids (see chart below). Easily grown in epiphytic orchid potting mix in a pot or slatted basket, or epiphytically on a bark slab. In summer, provide moist, partially shaded, well ventilated conditions, water freely, applying fertilizer at every third watering and mist twice daily, keep lightly shaded and almost dry in winter. Dive when pot is filled. Prone to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects, aphids, fungal leaf diseases, and virus diseases.