Psychopsis repotting hints? - Orchid Board

piaffe97 · #1 06-15-2011, 09:19 PM

Any suggestions on repotting Psychopsis? The plant is TALL; a few feet at least, and very lanky. I'm worried the stems will snap when I take it out of the pot.
I'm also wondering: repot when it has a flower or when it's budding for the next?
What type of media does it like best? This would be the first repot, so I don't want to change things, but I can't tell what it's potted in

How do I separate the plants without damage? I've got 3 growing in one small pot.
Sorry about all the questions, I've been really successful with this plant so far and if I kill it, I'll be devastated. It's so beautiful!

Daethen · #2 06-15-2011, 09:57 PM

I can't help you but I am interested in what your responses are. I am about to face the same dilema myself. Good luck, it is a beauty.

zxyqu · #3 06-15-2011, 10:13 PM

Ok, I had these same questions last year when I first got my in spike Psy. Lets start with the multiple plants question first. Are you sure it's 3 separate plants, and not just multiple growths of the same plant (this would be my guess, since you aren't sure what it's potted in.)
As to what you should pot it in, I'll start with 2 things. 1: it'd help for a better picture of the potting media directly if possible, even if you have to lightly pull the plant out. 2: these guys are remarkably tough, and can take some punishment (including the spikes).
As to what does it like to grown in, you'll get as many answers as responses. I grow mine in S/H, partly for the perks of S/H, but also because the extra weight of the clay pellets. If you choose something else, put some rocks/etc in the bottom to keep it non-top heavy.
Finally, as to risking the spikes, witha bit of care you should be ok. If you want to stake them with something then wrap them mostly in newspaper, that should provide enough cushion to prevent most accidents. Even if you snap one, the spike may still be viable (again, these guys are hardy). But I would wait for the bloom to drop, as I wouldn't want to hurt the "prize."
Hope that helps, but ask away if you have other questions.

Oscarman · #4 06-16-2011, 12:43 AM

From the pic, it would seem to be multiple growths of the same plant in the pot. I would not seperate them.

They seem flexible in their media, as long as the plant can be watered regularily and it drains well. I have 2 mounted on EpiWeb with a small amount of NZ moss and watered daily. Also have one potted in bark, which is going to get repotted once I see root growth. After reading that zxqu in growing S/H, I think I'll repot into that also. Most of my plants are moving into S/H culture anyway.

zxyqu · #5 06-16-2011, 01:36 AM

Yeah S/H seemed to work well for these guys, especially on the drainage side. That said mine did take a season off after transfer before starting to grow again. I figure it's normal with a media change, but who knows

camille1585 · #6 06-16-2011, 07:49 AM

I agree, it looks more like a single plant that has several mature growths. I wouldn't divide anything. I don't know what they like best medium wise, but min seems to be doing very well in somewhat chunky bark. It's potted in a net pot (so lots of air circulating) that is placed inside a normal transparent orchid pot (to keep some humidity around the roots coming through the net pot). Since it's quite fast draining/drying, I water every 2-3 days now. Don't know when he best time is to repot though.

Leafmite · #7 06-16-2011, 11:02 AM

I recently bought a small Mendenhall 'hildos' for the neat pattern of it's leaves. I normally buy only those orchids that will have a scent but I couldn't resist the cute foliage of this one. Is it true that the leaf pattern sometimes fades to green? Is there a way to keep the leaf pattern?
As the orchid likes to dry out quickly, I put it in lava rock in a six-inch basket-pot. It is a few years away from blooming and the bulbs are all the same size so I just centered it, not knowing which leaves are small because they are back bulbs or because they are new growths. A very confusing little plant. Does anyone know what size pot I will eventually need for this one?
Thanks,
Leafmite

zxyqu · #8 06-16-2011, 11:10 AM

If I remember my reading correctly, higher light keeps the speckling, while they fade to green on lower light. I asked when mine started to fade, and it's followed this trend.
As to pot size, mine is in a 4" pot, but it only has 3 mature growths on it (lost some due to a sun accident.) I'm surprised you have it in a 6" pot but maybe you have loads of small growths.

Leafmite · #9 06-16-2011, 01:19 PM

I wish! It has four or five little growths. The four-inch basket pots are tiny and the roots didn't fit. Don't worry, with large lava rock and a net pot, it dries quickly. I'm glad to know I won't have to repot for a long time! I greatly dislike repotting because I always break some roots. Thanks for the good news!
Leafmite

camille1585 · #10 06-16-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zxyqu

If I remember my reading correctly, higher light keeps the speckling, while they fade to green on lower light. I asked when mine started to fade, and it's followed this trend.
As to pot size, mine is in a 4" pot, but it only has 3 mature growths on it (lost some due to a sun accident.) I'm surprised you have it in a 6" pot but maybe you have loads of small growths.

Good to know about the light, I was wondering why the newest leaf on mine was plain green! I'll bump up the light a bit.