Help with Brassia caudata

[NancyH]

Hi Everyone, I bought a Brassia Caudata from the Santa Barbara Orchid show last year. It is mounted on wood with a spag backing to the roots. It is NOT a happy camper. I have lost 2 bulbs to mush. Only one bulb left. Does anyone know the correct culture and care. Because it is mounted I have been keeping the spag. moist. Maybe it is to moist. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Nancy:

[sandra]

Hi Nancy. I don't know specifically about B. caudata. I've got a Miltassia (Brassia x Miltonia) in bark that I let get (almost) dry before watering. It gets about 5 hours of indirect, bright light, best in warm weather and puts out spikes beginning in Spring. I have a feeling you may be keeping it too wet. Hopefully, others here will be able to guide you.

[NancyH]

Thanks Sandra,
I gave up the ghost. The plant was deep sixed! Both remaining bulbs were turning light colored brown from the bottom of the bulb and were a bit soft. I don't think it could have been saved. I still want to add some Brassia's to my collection. I will be on the hunt and that will be fun.
Nancy

[jerrymeola]

Brassia like all Oncidium alliance like good air circulation over the plant.

I have two shade houses twenty feet apart. One is next to the wall of the house and kills any Oncidium placed inside. The other only 20 feet away has winds go completely through the shade house and Oncidium alliance including Brassia grow like weeds.

I found one Brassia this week where it was getting so much water you would think it was an aquatic plant and it still was growing very well.

I mount my orchids with moss completely around the roots. I do not like to have two growing conditions (moss and air roots) on the same plant unless it grows naturally into that condition.