Pacific Nova Butter Buds???

[nevinsp]

I mentioned I recieved a Brassia for Christmas that lost it's blooms!!! Upon further inspection it is a Pacific Nova Butter Bud? Can anyone tell me about some care tips I might need to know?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Brassia orchids are sometimes called spider orchids because they have pointed sepals and long petals that look like spider legs. Like other Oncidium Intergenerics, they need light, water, food, and air movement. Here is a copy/past from our RVO care page:

Light Requirements:

1500 - 2000 footcandles
A bright kitchen window with no direct sun is perfect for these medium-light loving plants.

Temperature:

70 - 90 degrees F. daytime, 60 - 65 degrees F. night.

Humidity:

40 - 65 % relative humidity is ideal.

Notes:

In general, Oncidiums and the intergeneric hybrids produced with them form sprays sometimes over four feet long of tiny, often yellow or pink-tinted flowers that can make quite a show. Almost all are fragrant. They grow quickly, and it is not unusual for new pseudobulbs to stair-step their way out of a pot, throwing thin roots everywhere. These can be misted with fertilizer solution diluted from 1/3 to 1/2 strength each time the pot is watered. Oncidiinae appreciate good air movement. Plants that receive sufficient light to flower often exhibit scores of tiny brown spots on the leaves and their leaf-tips frequently turn yellow. The leaves themselves can be quite brittle and will split naturally during normal growth, so the foliage is usually not considered particularly attractive. Equitant oncidiums can be difficult, as they require a cool spell at the end of the growing season to initiate the next years flowering.

Your Brassia should be grow very fast. They like to be repotted about every two years or before the medium breaks down. I hope this helps!
Cheers,
BD

[nevinsp]

Thanks Brutal! I appreciate it! Should I be cutting the stem that lost all it's blooms?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Thanks Brutal! I appreciate it! Should I be cutting the stem that lost all it's blooms?

Sure, if it is dry you can cut it off about an inch or a half-inch above the ps-bulb. If it is still green, just let it alone. It will dry out. If you *really* want to cut it off while it is still fleshy (green), be sure to seal the cut (cinnamon) and use a sterile blade to cut the spike off.

Cheers,
BD