Ada brachypus

Also known as: The Short Column Foot Ada in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Ecuador Peru

General Information

The Short Column Foot Ada is a sympodial cool to warm growing orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Ecuador and Peru.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 17cm. Each new growth has a single oblong shaped leaf that grows to 1-13cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 0.5-2.5cm. The plant forms clusters over time

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 114mm to 632mm per day, heaviest in May and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 76% to 81%, highest in July and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 7C to 21C, highest in February (8C to 21C) and lowest in January (7C to 19C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.