Brassia (Spider) Orchids Indoor Care; Watering, Light, Soil, Propagation & Common Problems
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Brassia Orchids (Spider Orchids) grow best in bright indirect, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, loose, orchids soil coupled with regular monthly in the growing season.
Spider Orchids are popular orchids on account of their spectacular, delicately fragrant and long-lasting blooms.
Brassia Orchid flowers are notable for their characteristic long and spreading tepals, which lend them the common name 'Spider Orchid'. The reason why they look like spiders is that they attract female spider wasps for pollination.
These unique flowers not only add elegance to indoor spaces but are also fragrant and relatively easy to care for compared to other orchid varieties.
Spider Orchids bear large elliptic-oblong pseudobulbs with one or two leaves, a lateral unbranched numerously-flowered long-lasting flower-spike.
The Genus name 'Brassia' came from William Brass, a British botanist and illustrator who collected plants in Africa under the supervision of Sir Joseph Banks, an English naturalist, botanist and patron of natural sciences. The genus name is abbreviated as Brs in horticultural journals.
Brassia Orchids grow best when hanging or mounted on a vertical surface to allow the roots free air circulation.
Botanical name: Brassia
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Cymbidieae
Subtribe: Oncidiinae
Common name: Spider Orchid
Origin
Brassia Orchids are native to the rain forests of Mexico, Central America, West Indies and northern South America where they grow as epiphytes on tree canopies.
Flower
The flowers in Brassia Orchids are delicately fragrant and long-lasting and can be spotted yellow, cream, brownish or green.
Is Brassia Orchid toxic?
Brassia Orchids are non-toxic to both humans and pets. They are safe to grow in the home.
Where to Buy
If you would like to add this spectacular orchid to your collection, Brassia Orchids are available online on Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Brassia Orchids Indoors
To care for Brassia Orchid indoors, provide bright indirect light (filterd light), warmth of 16-290C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, rich, loose, orchid's potting mix coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Spider Orchids need regular pruning to keep them neat and discourage pest and disease infestation. Repotting is need when growth begins to suffer or the medium becomes completely broken down. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water your Brassia Orchid liberally in spring and summer and allow the top half of the soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist but not soggy to avoid rotting, drooping and yellowing.
Decrease watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period to prevent wilting, yellowing, droopy leaves and shriveled pseudobulbs.
Use tepid (room temperature) water as consistently watering with cold water can result in stunted growth. Only use chlorine-free water like rainwater or filtered water to prevent browning of leaf edges.
Select a pot with proper drainage slits and a free-draining soil to prevent sogginess which can cause rotting and death of the orchid. Avoid wetting the foliage to reduce fungal diseases.
Spider Orchids unlike Phalaenopsis (Moth) Orchids, are more tolerant of dry soil conditions, due to the presence of pseudobulbs and their thick leaves, therefore, take care not to overwater these orchids.
Light Requirements
Spider Orchid prefers bright indirect light; place it near a large, bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunshine to prevent scorching which is characterized by unsightly, brown marks on the leaves.
A Brassia Orchid that is receiving the correct light has light-green leaves. Too little light will result in dark-green leaves while too much light will cause the leaves to be more yellowish than green.
If the natural lighting is not adequate, use a grow light to promote a lush growth .
Monthly, give the pot a quarter turn to ensure that the orchid receives adequate light on all sides for a balanced growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Brassia Orchid thrives in a warmth of 16-290C. The warmer days and cooler night temperatures with a difference of 10-150C are ideal for this orchid. The cool nights are essential to trigger flowering.
Keep the orchid away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, radiators, windy doors, drafty windows and others to prevent sudden temperature changes which can cause reduced growth and blooming.
Spider Orchid prospers in a humidity of 60-70%; too low humidity can result in brown leaf tips. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Do not mist the leaves and maintain a good airflow to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Brassia Orchid with an orchids fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer to promote a lush growth. Ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Withhold feeding in fall and winter to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is reduced at this time. Do not feed an orchid that is in flower as it may shorten the flowering period.
It is better to err on the side of underfeeding than overfeeding a Spider Orchid, as it can result in loss of roots and death of the orchid. Overfeeding can also lead to vegetative growth instead of flower production.
Potting Soil
The best potting soil for Brassia Orchid should be organic matter rich, loose, free-draining, bark soil which does not get soggy. An Orchid potting mix is good for this orchid.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Brassia Orchid is easy. Remove dead and diseased leaves to keep the orchid neat as well as minimize pest and disease infestations.
When flowering is over, cut the flower stalk 1 inch above the 3rd node from the bottom to encourage more flower production. Never cut healthy pseudobulbs, as they store nutrients for the plant.
Once in a while clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.
Repotting
Repot Brassia Orchid when it has outgrown its pot, and the new growth reaches out over the edge of the pot, or when the soil has broken down completely.
Basically repotting a Spider Orchid every 2-3 years should be adequate. Repot only when new growth begins, shortly after blooming is over.
Use a pot with proper drainage holes or slits as the roots need good air circulation. The pot should be large enough to accomodate the roots. Check out these ceramic orchid pots on Amazon.
Use a loose, free-draining bark soil as the roots require good air circulation otherwise they begin to die. While repotting, shake off excess soil and trim off any dried and shrivelled pseudobulbs.
Brassia Orchids flourish when hanging or mounted on a vertical surface, as it allows free air circulation to the roots. If growing the orchid in a hanging basket, replace the potting medium regularly.
Brassia orchid Care after Flowering
After flowering give Brassia orchid a rest period of about 6-8 weeks. Give it lower light, cooler temperatures, less water and stop feeding it.
- Lower light: Place the orchid in a dark spot like a cupboard or cover it with an opaque material.
- Cooler temperatures: Keep the temperature between 13–160C.
- Water less: Reduce watering until new growth appears. When new growth emerges, water lightly.
- Feeding: Stop fertilizing. As growth increases, fertilize lightly. Once growth has matured, use a fertilizer with more phosphorus and potassium and resume regular watering.
Brassia Orchid Propagation
Brassia (Spider) Orchid is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season from the rhizome once flowering is over.
Propagating Brassia Orchid from the rhizome
- Carefully, slip the orchid out of its pot and shake off excess potting mix.
- Look for clumps with at least 3-4 pseudobulbs and their own root system.
- With a sharp clean knife, gently split the rhizome into sections while ensuring there are at least 3 shoots on each section.
- Seperate the roots attached to each division from the mother root-ball.
- Remove the old potting mix attached to the section roots.
- Select a pot about 1-2 inches larger than the pseudobulb and ensure the pot has enough drainage holes and slits to prevent rotting.
- Place the section in the center of the pot and cover the roots with fresh, orchid bark mix. Ensure that the bottom of the pseudobulb is level with the top of the soil.
- Stake each section to prevent it from toppling over.
- Place the set up in bright indirect light and maintain the soil slightly moist to enhance root development.
- Once the orchid sections have established their own roots and have shown signs of new growth, begin the routine care.
Brassia Orchid Problems & Solutions
Brassia (Spider) Orchid common problems are lack of blooms, yellow leaves, brown leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Lack of blooms
Lack of blooms on Brassia Orchids is caused by too little light, nutrients deficiency, dry air or lack of temperature variation.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the orchid in bright indirect light or use a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the orchid with an orchids fertilizer once a month in spring and summer.
Dry air: To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.
Lack of temperature variation: Expose the orchid to cooler nights to trigger blooming; a difference of 10-150C is needed.
Yellow leaves
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Brassia Orchids are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, direct sunlight, low light or nutrients deficiency.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top half of soil dries out.
Soggy soil: Use a loose, bulky, potting mix and a pot with adequate drainage holes or slits.
Direct sunlight: Keep the orchid away from direct sunlight or use a light curtain to diffuse the sunrays.
Low light: Place the orchid in a brighter spot with bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Nutrients deficiency: Apply an orchids fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Brown leaves
The main causes of brown leaves on Brassia Orchids are direct sunlight, inconsistent watering, extreme temperatures or fertilizer burn.
How to fix it
Direct sunlight: Keep the orchid away from direct sunshine or filter the light with a sheer curtain.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top half of soil feels dry to touch.
Extreme temperatures: Keep the orchid away from sources of drafts like windy doors and windows, heat sources, AC units among others.
Fertilizer burn: Avoid overfeeding and do not feed in fall and winter. Flush out excess salts from the soil.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves on Brassia Orchid are caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil, direct sunlight or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top half of soil feels dry to touch but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a free-draining soil and a pot with adequate drainage.
Direct sunlight: Keep the orchid away from direct sunshine or use a light curtain to filter the light.
Temperature stress: Keep the orchid away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, radiators, windy doors and windows, heat sources, AC units among others.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Brassia Orchid are caused by salts buidup, dry air, underwatering or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Salts buildup: Use chlorine-free water only. Regularly, flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to scale up the humidity.
Underwatering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top half of soil dries out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Temperature stress: Keep the orchid away from sources of drafts like windy doors and windows, heat sources, hot air vents, radiators, AC units among others.
Pests
Common pests on Spider Orchids are aphids, mealybugs and spider mites. These pests are prevalent in dry air conditions and poorly ventilated spaces.
How to fix it
- Inspect the orchid weekly for these pests and treat the infested orchid with neem oil. Ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to discourage the pests.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to remove the hiding and breeding places for these pests.
Diseases
Brassia Orchid is prone to powdery mildew which appears as a whitish, powdery coating on the leaves. It is promoted by over damp conditions, low temperatures and poor air circulation.
How to fix it
- Cut off the diseased leaves and isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants.
- Treat the affected orchid with neem oil as indicated by the manufacturer.
- Do not mist the leaves; if the water does not evaporate quickly, it will promote mildew growth.
- Maintain good air circulation to minimize infestation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How often should I water my Brassia Orchid?
Allow the soil to dry slightly before watering and ensure that the pot has drainage holes.
2. Can Brassia Orchids tolerate low light?
Brassia Orchids prefer bright indirect light but can survive in moderate light. However, they will not bloom in deep shade.
3. What is the best pot for Brassia Orchids?
Use a well-ventilated orchid pot with drainage holes to prevent root rot.
4. Do Brassia Orchids rebloom?
Yes. With proper care, Brassia Orchids can bloom multiple times a year.
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