Brassia verrucosa re-potting

[krkovec]

Hello!

What's the best potting mix for Brassia verrucosa? Thanks

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi there. The best potting mix is usually determined by a couple of factors:

1. the watering schedule of the orchid grower
2. the type of orchid being grown

For a brassia, treat it as an oncidium. Oncidiums have p-bulbs to hold water, so they will like their feet to dry off. They do not want to stay dry for extended periods of time though.

I suggest, based on my watering schedule (2 times a week in the summer/ 1 time a week in the winter) that you use a free draining mix made of the following:

medium sized redwood bark
perlite (sponge rock)
charcoal
medium coconut husk (for water retaining)

Pot in a pot just larger than the brassia and expect to repot within two years. Brassias will grow air roots and step out of their pots pretty quickly as they grow quickly. Depending on the size of your plant, you may have a plant that you can divide upon the next potting. I hope this helps.

Cheers,
BD

[navyderek]

Bruce knows what he's about. His watering schedule is similar to mine as well, although I water almost 3 times per week in the hottest summer months. His recipe prolly works great, but mine is more like:

70% pine or redwood bark
10% perlite or charcoal
20% sphagnum moss

You can also do without the perlite/charcoal if there is none handy, just add more bark.