The American beauty Brassia orchid is gaining popularity with our florists every year. In the wild, the plant prefers to climb on a hill or hides in tropical forests, where humid warm air prevails. The blossoming buds, like motley spider legs, adorn the stems. Unusual inflorescences are the reason why the flower is called "spider orchid".
Description of brassia orchids
The brassia flower belongs to the Orchid family. Belt-shaped leaves originate from pear-shaped bulbs. At the ends, the foliage tapers and turns into a lancet. The bright green plates have a smooth surface and a strong structure. A lush rosette is formed from the connected leaves. Bulb build-up occurs gradually. As soon as the old bulb dies off, a young growth forms in its place. Shortened creeping stems. Bulbs are located very closely and practically cling to each other. Often, in adult bushes, tightly pressed bulbs turn into a kind of ladder.
The inflorescence consists of unbranched compressed buds that are attached to the peduncle. The number of buds, as a rule, does not exceed 15 pcs. There are also species in which the number of axillary flowers is much smaller. The arrow of the peduncle grows 15-50 cm. In addition to the petals, the flower contains narrow sepals up to 15 cm long. The ends of the sepals resemble thin threads. The short petals are characterized by a rounded shape. The column and the large lip have no points of contact.
There are white, yellow, purple and brown types of brassia orchids. The bud head is colored with small brown spots. The blooming perennial exudes a rich aroma that is similar to that of daffodils.
Brassia care at home
Indoor representatives of the brassia orchid are unpretentious in care. It is recommended to place flowerpots on the east or west side of the building, where there is bright natural light. Direct sunlight can burn foliage.
Temperature
A favorable temperature for growing a culture is considered to be the range from + 20 ° C to + 25 ° C. Lowering the thermometer to + 15 ° C is not too dangerous. Dry air is a threat, as the orchid is native to tropical rainforests. Regular spraying helps to avoid wilting of the leaves. In winter, the plant goes into a dormant state that lasts about 2-3 weeks. Cut watering and transfer the pots to a cool place.
Watering
Orchids cannot be watered from above. The containers with the flower are dipped in a bowl of warm water for 15 minutes so that the roots are saturated with moisture. Excess water must be drained. When the skin of the bulb becomes wrinkled, it is a signal that the plant has been flooded with water. It is better to stop watering for a week until the flower comes to its senses.
Top dressing and fertilizers
In winter, for active development and abundant flowering, additional lighting is installed near the orchid and fed with complex fertilizers containing phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. Top dressing is done every month.
In May and September, pets are transferred to the balconies, where the bushes will enjoy the fresh air and begin to form flower ovaries. Such a microclimate will only benefit the perennial.
Breeding brassia
Brassia orchid is sold in many flower shops. If friends already have this indoor beauty, you can propagate an adult plant vegetatively. The events are recommended to be held in spring. In the spring, the bushes wake up from hibernation and begin to actively develop. The perennial extracted from the soil is carefully cut into pieces, and the sections are processed with crushed coal. The cuttings obtained in this way are transferred to a new place. It is necessary that three healthy bulbs remain in the separated bushes.
Watering is started on the fourth day after planting. The flower pot is immersed in a container filled with warm water. Young branches are cut off so that the plant gains strength faster. The sections of the cuts are sprinkled with coal powder.
The soil for the orchid is harvested from pre-prepared components: pine bark, moss, charcoal and sphagnum moss.
If, instead of a purchased substrate, you had to mix the soil for planting yourself, it must be disinfected by boiling for 10 minutes in a water bath.
When the brassia grows very large, you will have to transplant the plant into another wider pot to make the bulbs more spacious. The front end is organized in a transshipment way, then it is possible to avoid rotting of the bark in the new substrate. Thanks to this method, the root system is less injured and takes root better. The growth of new bulbs is most often observed on one side, so the bush in the pot is shifted to the wall, leaving free space in the center. The containers are not filled to the top, since the formation of new bulbs occurs over the old ones.
In a damaged root system, it is important to completely clean the roots of adhered old soil. The rhizome is soaked in warm water and examined. If affected processes are noticed, they are removed. The transplanted culture is exposed to a certain stress, therefore, at first, it requires careful care.
Diseases and pests
The most annoying parasitic insect that harms brassia is the spider mite. Infected shoots are washed under running hot water. A scale insect and a mealybug are taken into the axils of the foliage. Chemical preparations are salvation from pests: karbofos, fosalon and actellic. In order to consolidate the effect and not face an infection in the future, the treatment is repeated after a while.
As a result of improper care, the bulbs suffer from decay. The disease causes an excess of water in the root zone and a sharp cold snap. Cases should be avoided when the liquid stagnates in the soil for a long time. It is recommended to plant orchids in transparent containers with drainage holes. To prevent the holes from clogging, they are periodically cleaned.
Varieties of brassia orchids
Brassia pedigree is subdivided into fifty species. Cultural types include the following names of breeding forms:
Brassia warty. It is considered one of the most popular and unassuming types. The height of the flower is about half a meter. Inflorescences are formed from slightly colored greenish buds. The edges of the petals are tapering. The surface of the petals shines in the sun. Brassia warty is capable of blooming all year round.
Brassia spotted. It stands out against the background of its fellows with large spotted buds. Fragrant yellow buds smell deliciously of sweet vanilla.
Brassia is tailed. Long, uneven stems bear flowers pale with a yellowish tinge. Entering the flowering phase, the plant fills the space around with a persistent rich aroma.
Royal brassia. Star buds densely cover compact bushes.
Brassia Summer Dream. This is a pale yellow orchid no more than 15 cm high.
Brassia unnoticed. It has elongated small flowering parts, the surface of which is dotted with brown spots.
Decorative hybrid varieties of brassia orchids include:
- Miltassia - derived from brassia and miltonia. Its lilac spider inflorescences are surrounded by short sepals;
- Bakerara - variegated crossed form;
- Brassidium - Derived from brassia and oncidium. Spider flowers are striking in bright colors.
Brassia orchid will become a bright decoration in any home, and flower care is not difficult even for beginners.
