Brassia Edvah Loo 'Goldilocks' PHOTO

[Jmoney]

A generous gift from Forrest. Sent bursting with vigor and a baby spike, now mature...

[Gilda]

WOO HOO look at the arms and legs on that gal ! Jason, are you sure you have room to grow brassias ?

[Heather]

Very nice!

[uncasteeb]

Superb !
Good growing.

[Forrest]

very nice! Looks like it wil be happy there.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Bravo!

Cheers!
BD

[Jmoney]

WOO HOO look at the arms and legs on that gal ! Jason, are you sure you have room to grow brassias ?

thanks all. It's funny, Gilda, in recent months I've gotten a bunch of catts (standard, of course) and a brassia, and only a single phrag or two. Go figure...
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Popularly known as the "spider orchids", the 29 or so species comprising the genus Brassia range from Florida to South America. It has been found that at least some of the species are pollinated by parasitic wasps through a most unusual mechanism. The egg-bearing females of these wasp species sting members of certain spider species and actually lay their eggs inside them (the bodies serve as food for the developing wasp larvae). The wasps apparently mistake brassia flowers for spiders, repeatedly stinging the columns and picking up pollinia. When the wasp moves to another flower, cross-pollination is achieved.

Brs. Edvah Loo is a popular primary grex that was registered in 1966. Most cultivars produce 12-15" flowers, although some exceptional clones have produced "spiders" stretching up to 20" in vertical height. As with most other brassias, the flowers of this grex are a combination of greens, golds, and browns, and are pleasantly fragrant during the day. Brassias are easy to cultivate under a variety of conditions, although they grow and bloom best when given strong light (similar to that given to standard cattleyas). Brassias will also appreciate intermediate temperatures and ample water while actively growing.

[momokev]

Very nice! I love brassias...

Lisa

[Jmoney]

true to its clonal name 'goldilocks', the flowers open up greenish but are now very much gold-colored one week later.

photo link, scroll down

I have little experience with brassias. anyone else have plants that take on gold overtones with age?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Wow, Jason! Great information on the pollination. I find the different ways these amazing plants achieve cross pollination fascinating. Thanks for taking the time to explain about the wasp and spider orchid. Very kewl indeed!

Cheers!
BD