Brassia aurantiaca is native to Colombia and Venezuela. In Colombia, this plant is found in the central Andes massif at an altitude of over 2500 m. In Venezuela, plants of this species were found in the eastern Andes in the state of Táchira at an altitude of about 2000 m...
Brassia aurantiaca also called as The Red-Orange Brassia, Ada aurantiaca, Ada aurantiaca var. maculata, Ada cinnabarina, Ada lehmannii, Brassia cinnabarina, Mesospinidium aurantiacum, Mesospinidium cinnabarinum, Oncidium cinnabarinum, is a species of the genus Brassia. This species was described by M.W.Chase in 2011.
IDENTIFY BRASSIA AURANTIACA
Brassia aurantiaca is native to Colombia and Venezuela. In Colombia, this plant is found in the central Andes massif at an altitude of over 2500 m. In Venezuela, plants of this species were found in the eastern Andes in the state of Táchira at an altitude of about 2000 m.
It is a small to medium sized, cold to cool growing epiphyte, which reaching 18-40 cm in size, with elliptic-pyriform, compressed, dark green, 7.5-10.0 cm long and 2.0 cm wide pseudobulbs subtended by several leaf bearing sheaths and carrying 2 apical, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, 10-30 cm long and 1.0-2.5 cm wide leaves.
The Red-Orange Brassia blooms on an axillary, erect then arching, 30 to 50 cm long, several to 18 flowered racemose inflorescence that is equal to the length of the leaves and has large floral bracts as well as has semi-opening flowers occurring in the late winter and early spring. The flowers about 2.5 cm long have a tubular base and they open only above half the height. The petals of the perianth are oblong, lanceolate and sharply finished. The internal petals are shorter than the petals of external floral whorl and have an oblong violet streak passing through the center. The narrow, lanceolate or oblong lip grows parallel to the spine, is sharp and has a thickening at the base consisting of two short parallel bumps, each of which has a raised curved appendix at the apex.
BRASSIA AURANTIACA CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Brassia aurantiaca needs a light level of 25000-35000 lux. The light should be filtered or dispersed, and the plants should not be exposed directly to the southern sun. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time.
Temperature:
It is a cold-loving plant. Throughout the year, the average day temperature is 18-20 ° C, and the average night temperature is 9-11 ° C, with a daily amplitude of 8-11 ° C. If we have a cooling air humidifier, this orchid will grow well close to the cold, humid air outlet.
Humidity:
The Red-Orange Brassia needs the humidity of 70-75% for most of the year, falling below 70% for several months in winter and early spring.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Brassia aurantiaca can be grown in shallow containers with good drainage or cork with high humidity, and during hot and dry weather, they should be watered several times a day. You can also grow it in shallow pots or baskets with a quick-drying substrate with excellent drainage and good aeration that allows for quick drying after watering. You can use medium granulation of fir bark or pieces of tree fern with the addition of coarse pearlite and / or chopped sphagnum, which simultaneously increases the permeability of the substrate and allows moisture retention. The addition of charcoal helps to ensure permeability and prevents soda.
The plants should be repotted when the substrate begins to decompose, or when they grow out of pots. It's best to do it when new roots start growing. This will allow the plant to adapt to the new substrate in the shortest possible time.
Watering:
The plants should be watered abundantly during the period of intensive growth, but the outflow of water must be facilitated and the ground around the roots should always be open, with easy access of air. In addition to the period of active growth, watering should be reduced, but the substrate should not be allowed to dry out.
Fertilizer:
The plants should be fertilized every week 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids. A fertilizer with a high nitrogen content is beneficial from spring to mid-summer, and a fertilizer richer in phosphorus should be used in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Watering in winter should be limited to a certain extent, especially in the case of Brassia aurantiaca cultivated in darker conditions of a short day typical of higher latitudes. Fertilization should be reduced or eliminated until new growths appear and a more abundant spring watering begins.
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