Brassada Spider Man

[Dorsetman]

Brassada is Brassia x Ada - the two genera are so close that I am surprised they have not been merged . However it seems that has not (yet) occurred. The cross is between the species Ada aurantiaca and a Brassia hybrid - Spider's Feast. Put into my version of hydroponics when purchased at a Spring Show in 2011, when it proved to have rather disappointingly drab flowers, but now flowering on a much improved bulb ( ain't semi-hydro culture wonderful for oncidiums ! ) with a spike of 14 gorgeous flowers. The bottom flowers, open for a couple of days are 6 inch natural spread ; the bulb 5 inch. Might do better, when better established ? Not that I am complaining now.

[mauraec]

Wow - I have mentioned my once-maligned and now-extolled Banfieldara Gilded Tower 'Thai Gold' (Ada x Brassia x Odontoglossum) on a couple other threads, but I'm astonished at the similarity with your Brassada. Mine was put in with some other plants by accident, resented, neglected, and somewhat abused, so she shows a little wear, but can you take a look and tell me what you can see for differences? Family members are accusing me of raising aliens - between this one and the paph I showed recently.

[Kmac]

Very nice, Geoff!

" my version of hydroponics"--what exactly is that again? I have a couple in semi-hydro, but not sure if we are talking the same thing...miy S/H pots have holes an inch or so from the bottom, and are filled with hydroton. When you water, a small reservoir of water remains at the bottom, supposedly to wick up...is that what you are talking about, or do you have a better technique?

[Dorsetman]

I use ordinary pots, stood in a tray of water/nutrient -saves messing about drilling holes, also means ordinary cheap pots,and that there is a greater volume of water,( I can leave them for a week if I am away, without concern) also easy to change the lot - no risk of strong solution being trapped in the bottom, etc. I also use coarse Perlite rather than the larger hydroton, and this holds enough water so that when I dry a plant off for a winter rest - if its that sort of plant - it takes some weeks to dry out naturally. Likewise when i start to water again I first plunge the pot, drain, then stand it in a dry tray - not as wet as the later time when standing in a tray of water, good for encouraging a new root system to grow. Also the tray allows me to check and adjust pH and Ec and be sure that what is in the pot is exactly what I want.
Just minor tweaks you might call them.

[mazlani]

What a name! From the size of the bulb, you can tell it's a healthy plant. Congrats Geoff.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

What a name! From the size of the bulb, you can tell it's a healthy plant. Congrats Geoff.

I thought the same thing! Great looking orchid Geoff!

cheers,
BD

[Kmac]

Thanks, Geoff...I think mine might like that method. Standing in trays of water...you mean with an inch or do of pot in the water?

[Dorsetman]

Thanks, Geoff...I think mine might like that method. Standing in trays of water...you mean with an inch or do of pot in the water?

Yes, about one inch is fine - could be down to half inch - but if you are away for a week in fine weather, half an inch can evaporate, or get so low as to be a bit strong ( the water evaporates, leaving the nutrient behind ) - hence, if you top up, use just water, or better throw the old away and replace with fresh.

[Kmac]

Super--thanks!

[panam]

Great tips - thanks, Kathi and Geoff!