I came home with a monster... - Orchid Board

Ordphien · #1 11-24-2013, 08:43 PM

The other day at Trader Joe's I was one again seduced by an orchid.
I've gotten pretty good at not bringing them home. In fact the majority of the time I don't even want what they have.

Unfortunately this time they did. A large green fragrant brassia type hybrid.

I love brassia orchid and their hybrids. I just do. I bought one two years ago and killed it slowly. I felt terrible and have shied away from them since.

This guy made me ready to try again.

The flowers are about as big as my hand, and smell of honeysuckle.

The plant is huge! I do mean that. I can't properly express how much room this one psuedobulb is taking up. This is my second biggest plant. It's taller bigger than all my cymbidiums and my grammatophyllum scriptum. And it's just one psuedobulb!

My other largest is only the largest in height. It's forgiven because it's got a tidy growth habit and skinny canes.

Where am I going to with it lol?

Also... please please give me advice on how to get it to thrive!

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TOMMYMIAMI · #2 11-24-2013, 08:48 PM

Very nice "monster"!

My Green Pets · #3 11-24-2013, 08:50 PM

I am with you 100% on the Brassias. Youve done so well, what a gorgeous plant! I would assume standard oncid/intergeneric care would apply...water it well then let it get almost dry before watering again, bright light, cool to warm temps...and watch out for it falling off that narrow ledge...

Leafmite · #4 11-24-2013, 10:49 PM

What a beauty! I just love fragrant orchids!

MrHappyRotter · #5 11-24-2013, 11:02 PM

I'm also a big fan of brassias and brassia intergenerics. I'm guessing yours is a brassidium or whatever they're calling brassia x oncidium these days, but it could have some other genera in there as well (perhaps mitonia).

I agree, some of those brassia hybrids get huge. As much as I love them, I've downsized on them over the past 5 years or so, they simply don't fit on the shevles. I did keep one of the better of the large crosses I had. It's a monster as well, and currently in spike ... can't wait for the fragrance.

Ordphien · #6 11-25-2013, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

Very nice "monster"!

Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

I am with you 100% on the Brassias. Youve done so well, what a gorgeous plant! I would assume standard oncid/intergeneric care would apply...water it well then let it get almost dry before watering again, bright light, cool to warm temps...and watch out for it falling off that narrow ledge...

Crap... oncidiums and intergenerics hate me. They truly do.

I swear I'm trying though... I'll give this guy my best shot.

Haha... that's not it's permanent home. I put it there to catch the sun for the pictures. No.. I think this one will be homed on the other narrow window sill behind that one lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leafmite

What a beauty! I just love fragrant orchids!

Me too! Fragrance isn't a must but it's a huge huge consideration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHappyRotter

I'm also a big fan of brassias and brassia intergenerics. I'm guessing yours is a brassidium or whatever they're calling brassia x oncidium these days, but it could have some other genera in there as well (perhaps mitonia).

I agree, some of those brassia hybrids get huge. As much as I love them, I've downsized on them over the past 5 years or so, they simply don't fit on the shevles. I did keep one of the better of the large crosses I had. It's a monster as well, and currently in spike ... can't wait for the fragrance.

Gosh they are huge. I do love them though.
Ultimately I really only plan to have 3. When I somehow have the room.

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RosieC · #7 11-25-2013, 08:05 AM

Oooh, lovely!

Paul · #8 11-25-2013, 03:49 PM

Oh that's not a monster yet ... give it a year or two.

MrsSky · #9 11-25-2013, 08:55 PM

I love the deals at TJ. I'm often surprised by the size of their 12$ orchids. I don't often see brassia hybrids at my location. Yours is very stunning.

NYCorchidman · #10 11-26-2013, 03:55 AM

What a nice snatach!
I've never seen that in my TJ, although they do quite often carry brassidium in much darker color tone.

It looks like brassidium Shooting Star or Sea Urchin.
Whatever it is, brassidiums can grow along oncidiums, but since brassias take much more light, you can give it a lot of light for the best flower production in the future.

I had Sea Urchin but tossed it. The plant just got so big. Brassidiums are super growers. Multiply fast.

I downgraded to brassia hybrid (brassia with another brassia) that are a bit smaller, and the spike habit is more compact.

I wish I had all the space to try brassidiums again. The spikes are just spectacular on them, but too big for me.

Good luck!