Brassia verrucosa

[Piper]

This species is native to Mexico and Central America. The flowers are quite large, about 6", clustered on spikes that reach over 20-30" long. They're said to be slightly fragrant with a peppery smell, but don't be fooled! My dining room has been shouting with fragrance since this puppy opened two weeks ago.

This a cooler grower, so the flowers are not liking the high heat we've had the last couple of days. That's why I was pushing to photograph the flowers today. Some are just fading.

The plant grows like a weed, and this year I had three spikes. I now understand it likes cooler winters to set its spikes, so I'm going to try that this winter. The first year I bought the plant it quickly put up 5 spikes. It grew like crazy, but I overpotted it and last year I got 1 spike. It's getting quite large now and put up 3 spikes this year. We'll see what the cooler winter rest will do next year...

Julie

[orchid-man]

nice growing julie

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Very nice. You really had a big spray of flowers with this one.-- The first two photos look like swimmers doing water ballet.

Cheers!
BD

[Jmoney]

very nicely grown and bloomed!

[Molly Taco]

Beautiful, I can't even get one spike, I always thought that they liked you best.
Cin

[Piper]

Thanks, all!

I think more of jumping jacks, than swimmers, Bruce - but the both work!

Cin, your trouble may be your temps. I recently read that the spikes set with the cooler winter temps. I don't go below 60 F in the winter and I think 50 F would suit this species better. I'm going to try and find a cooler spot for this guy, this coming winter.

Julie

[Diane]

Great growing and great pictures! I have one of these, a tiny seedling type that Hoa forced me to buy last March. It is growing well, and maybe in a year or two it will be big enough to bloom! (I showed it your pictures as inspiration!)

[Molly Taco]

I was thinking jumping jacks too but they started looking to flowie. I will move them to the outer cooler spots next winter. Thanks for the "cool" idea.
Cin

[bench72]

Very nice Julie! I like the last pic the best because it's a mess and confusion.... hmm, don't read too much into that...

BEE-U-T-FULL!

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

Julie,
Good growing and intriguing pictures!
You beat me to it, mine is in bloom too!

Oh, Come on Diane! I didn't force you to buy it! Heheheee, it's a bargain for $7.50 Hehehehee ...It is already blooming-size and with proper growing, it will bloom next year for you just by putting outside on your patio! (Just don't forget to water the plant ...hheeehehee and fertilize it now and then ...)

Cheers. Hoa.