Description and photos of Brassia orchids, as well as plant care

Discreet, modest, at first glance inconspicuous Brassia was especially fond of orchid lovers. It does not require a lot of attention, feels great in houses and apartments, blooms at any time of the year.

She is rightly considered unpretentious and not capricious, you just need to know some of the features of this orchid. Then you can enjoy its aroma and sunny flowering. In our article, we will consider in detail the features of this flower and the rules for caring for it.

What is it?

Orchid Brassia has long been accustomed to our climate, although its ancestors come from distant America. Orchid in nature loves the hills, prefers a moist forest, blooms regularly. Its flowers are very similar to exotic spiders, so very often this unusual orchid is called “orchid - spider”. Her graceful petals - cobwebs amaze the imagination of even the most experienced lover of exotic flowers.

Basic biological information

Orchid Brassia belongs to a large family of orchid immigrants from America. Prefers moist shady area, does not like bright sun. It grows to 50 cm. It blooms several times a year. Propagated by dividing the bush Orchid sympodial in type, has bulbs - stems, they are usually called pseudobulbs, they look like small pears, they are located on the apex leaflets.

Description of appearance

Exotic Brassia is a perennial orchid, related to it about 34 species, the natural environment is the forests of America. Flowers are special in both shape and color. Petals are long, like cobwebs, pale green, sometimes bright lemon or yellow green. All over the flower there are brown or dark bard spots - moles.

The leaves are belt-shaped, the edges of the leaves taper to the apex, resemble a pointed knife in shape - a lancet; bright green, glossy, dense. Brassia's rosette looks like a fan of leaves. Bulbs grow gradually, replacing one another. Leaves are dense, smooth, saturated green.

ATTENTION: The stalk of Brassia is short, creeping, bulbs accumulate, gather in a bouquet or ladder, closely pressing against each other. The aroma is special, even harsh, resembles the smell of spring daffodils.

Varieties: description and photo

The genus of this orchid is quite diverse, there are more than fifty. We describe the most famous and unpretentious species.

Warty

The most common and unpretentious species of this orchid. It blooms at any time of the year, grows up to 50 cm. The flowers are pale, greenish-yellow, the petals are narrow, gracefully and harmoniously combined into a single motley floral arrangement.

Watch a video about the features of Warty Brassia:

Spotted

Gives the aroma of vanilla, the flowers are bright yellow, quite large. Purple blotches give a special charm to this orchid. Petals narrowed, pointed, like skewers.

Tailed

Flowers are gently yellow, curved. They look like little funny gnomes - fireflies, sitting down to rest and lowering their long, thin legs. The aroma is more intense than other species of this orchid.

Royal

This is a hybrid. The aroma exudes unusual. It blooms densely, abundantly. The flowers look like stars spun in a dance - their petals are so symmetrically raised. A very sophisticated and sophisticated orchid.

Simmer dream

The flowers are large, up to 15 cm. They are similar to the magic octopuses - twins. Against the background of the pale yellow color of the flower, brown spots stand out symmetrically on the petals. The lip is large, wide, slightly collected, wavy, adds festivity and very decorates the orchid.

Brassidium

This is also a hybrid. Brassidium blooms densely, petals - colorful spiders. As if lanterns gathered in a garland - now - that will light up with festive light. Charming and tender orchid.

Conditions of detention

Lighting

Daylight hours should last at least 10 hours, if sunlight is not enough, you can use additional lighting - phytolamps. If Brassia always receives less light, she simply will not bloom. Brassia loves a diffused, slightly subdued light, so it’s better to settle it on the east or west side, you can shade it with a light curtain.

Humidity

Moderate humidity is recommended - 50 - 60%. If the young shoot looks sluggish, begins to tighten, you need to moisten the air. Easy spraying or moistening of the soil will help - the pots are installed on a pallet with wet pebbles or expanded clay.

IMPORTANT: Brass does not tolerate dry air.

Temperature

In the summer, the room should warm up to 20-23 ° C, at night a little lower - 18-19 ° C. The difference in differences is small, 2 - 3 ° С, but the difference is mandatory, it affects the growth of the peduncle and the bulb itself.

In winter, the orchid needs peace, so the temperature can be reduced by 2 - 4 ° C. For the correct formation of flower buds, the orchid in September and May is moved to a cool place, without heating.

A place

The place for our shy is better to choose a well-lit, but the orchid does not tolerate the bright scorching sun, it is better to place it on the east or west side. If this is not possible, then artificially shade the windows with tulle, blinds, and a curtain.

What fertilizers can be used and how?

In winter, Brassia is not fed, give her a rest.

In summer and spring it is better to feed with nitrogen fertilizers, this will enhance growth and bright flowering. And in the autumn, phosphorus and potassium are used for fertilizer. Fertilizers are best combined with irrigation, for a good and even distribution of fertilizing.

Fertilizers can be purchased in stores, with a special mark: "For orchids." Carefully read the instructions, doses of fertilizing, so as not to harm the flower.

Step-by-step instruction

Landing

Brassia is a special flower, bulbs grow only on one side, are located with a short flight of stairs, a new bulb grows a "step" higher than the previous one. Therefore, for Brassia there are its own landing rules:

• free spacious, fairly high pot;
• during planting, the flower is slightly pressed to the edge of the pot;
• it is necessary to free up enough space for the growth of new bulbs;
• plant deeper, taking into account the addition of substrate, to form a slide.

Home Care

It is the correct watering that makes it possible for our American guest to bloom. Watering should be plentiful in summer, you can add irrigation. In winter and autumn, watering and spraying are reduced, a moderate dry regime should come into effect here.

The water, necessarily sedimented or passed through the filter, is warm enough, just above room temperature. Watering Brassia by dipping. Dip the pot in a bucket of water for 15 - 20 minutes, then let the excess water drain into the pan, but drain the water so as not to soak the roots. Between watering, the soil is dried.

ATTENTION: As soon as the peduncles appear, stop watering for several days, this will help the formation of new bulbs.

If there are small wrinkles on the bulbs, watering is stopped for 5 -7 days.

How to transplant?

Orchid is usually transplanted in spring, so it adapts better to new conditions.. If the substrate is very compacted, the bulbs have grown so much that they do not fit in the old pot, they have to hang on top of it - it's time for a transplant. It is important not to bury the plant in the ground. Usually, a transplant is combined with the propagation of orchids.

When transplanting, follow the recommendations:

1. It is safer to use the transshipment method: we move the entire earthen lump into another pot.
2. We clean the roots of the old soil with processed tools so as not to infect the infection.
3. Pre-soak the root in warm water, remove diseased, damaged roots.
4. You need to move the orchid from the center of the pot, leaving more space.
5. The substrate is poured at 75% of the pot occupancy, taking into account its further pouring.

Transplant - stress for Brassia. Its adaptation lasts 1-2 weeks, watch the flower!

Priming:

• good drainage, for air circulation (pebbles, crushed stone, polystyrene);
• charcoal;
• moss - sphagnum;
• riding moss (as a supplement);
• pieces of medium sized pine bark.

The prepared substrate can be disinfected with a water bath for 10 minutes.

Pots can be used plastic or clay without enamel, the surface of the pot should be slightly rough, the roots are easier to settle on such a surface. Florists are advised to keep Brassia in hanging baskets or pots.

Watch the video on the correct transplantation of the brassia orchid:

How to propagate?

You can buy a young orchid in the store, but it is easy to propagate at home.

1. Brassia propagates vegetatively by division.
2. The procedure is carried out in the spring, when it is actively developing.
3. An adult orchid is incised closer to the main, maternal bulb.
4. We clean the root of the old, affected processes.
5. We cut the places of cut with charcoal.
6. In each updated bush there should be 2 - 3 bulbs.
7. Each part is planted in a prepared substrate.
8. Watering after 4 -5 days by immersion in warm water.
9. The first processes are carefully cut, the cut is treated with charcoal.

Diseases and Pests

• Spider mite - a dangerous pest for orchids. It feeds on plant sap. First, white dots appear on the leaves below, and then the leaves turn brown - gray. Thin cobwebs around the orchid. A hot shower will help, spraying with acaricides, the most harmless fitoverm. 3 to 4 treatments are required at intervals of 5 to 6 days.
• Scutellum and powdery worm affects the sinuses of leaves, especially in hot weather. An orchid will be saved by spraying with karbofos, fozalon and other chemical preparations. Re-processing is carried out in a week. Treatment is carried out within a month.
• Slug - they are saved from disinfection of the pot and pre-treatment of the substrate.
• Root rot - A dangerous disease for Brassia. The reason is waterlogging of air and soil. The orchid is especially susceptible to such diseases in winter. Her leaves fade, yellow. You can lose the flower. Spraying and watering with foundationazole will help. For prevention, repeat the procedure 3 times every 10 days. Reduce watering, adjust humidity and temperature.

Conclusion

The Brassia orchid does not have bright grandeur and a royal feature, but on the other hand, how much tenderness, enthusiasm and quiet inspiration, peace and tranquility. Such a soft and disposable flower that you want to relax, have a cup of green tea with lemon balm and calmly gather your thoughts, gain strength and energy for tomorrow, full of difficulties and worries ...

Watch the video: How to care for Brassia Orchids - watering, fertilising, reblooming (November 2024).