How to Care for a Spider Orchid

The Brassia, otherwise known as the Spider Orchid, has green leaves resembling a corn stalk with a stem coming out of the stalks with a yellow spiked flower. The orchid gives off a scent of jasmine and vanilla. In order for the Spider Orchid to bloom, you must know how to care for a Spider Orchid. The plant is easy to grow, but is temperamental and needs proper care. The plant usually has 10 to 15 flower buds and stands about 18 to 25 inches high.

Orchid fertilizer

Scissors

Gravel

Medium fir bark

Set the Spider Orchid in a location where the air temperature is between 75 and 85 degrees F during the day. At night, the temperature should be between 60 and 65 degrees F.

Pick a location that has subdued lighting. If the leaves turn a reddish green color, the plant is getting to much light. The leaves should be a bright green color; if the leaves turn a darkish green, the plant is not getting enough light.

Water the soil when it becomes moderately dry; don't let the soil become completely dry and hard. The Spider Orchid usually needs more water when a new flower shoot is growing than it does when no new shoots are sprouting. Place gravel under the pot where the drainage holes are so that the plant is never sitting in water on the tray. Don't get any water inside the new shoot; water at the base of the plant.

Add orchid fertilizer once a month, but no more than that. The nursery will have a formulated fertilizer that is only meant for orchids.

Keep the humidity in the room where the orchid is located between 40 to 50 percent in lower temperatures. For higher temperatures, the humidity should be between 55 and 75 percent. Have good air movement in the room.

Carefully repot the orchid in new medium fir bark every two years instead of soil. You should repot the plant when the new shoot is about 3 inches high or when you see new roots. Carefully remove the soil around the roots. Use a scissors to clip at dead roots.