Psychopsis roots - with pics

[kmccormic]

Howdy Folks!
People had asked for pics before, so here they are. It seems happy. The black roots make it look like repotting is really rarely done. Opinions, thoughts?

[Bud]

WOW! That looks like an expensive plant! It looks happy and blooming beautifully...theres new roots growing, thats good.
Each flower lasts about one month, with the next flower following on the same spike within one week to one month (depending on the light/temperature conditions). This plant should produce one new flower spike per year, and sometimes more as often more than one new growth can be produced. Kalihi is the best Psychopsis hybrid for producing multiple spikes quickly.
Repot when needed, into an orchid bark mix or New Zealand sphagnum moss. Do not disturb the root system too much as these have slightly sensitive root systems. Keep dry for the fist week to 10 days after repotting. Do not divide this plant as it is best allowed to become specimen size.

[Daethen]

Nice looking plant. I just repotted mine yesterday. It is in active new growth and in between flowers. Scared me to do it, but it was sooo time.

[Bird Song Farm]

I bit the bullet and re-potted one of mine yesterday. I have been really dreading it but it's done and I'll be extra vigilant for the next couple of weeks.
Your plant looks great!
AL

[kmccormic]

Daethen, Birdsongfarm:

How did you handle the brittleness of the leaves/roots? Did you have any problems? I'm afraid what I'll do to it when it is time to repot. It just sent up the 2nd spike, so it looks like it is happy for now.

Do you use any fungicide as a preventative measure since these guys get repotted less frequntly?

[Daethen]

I didn't use any kind of fungacide. I did use superthrive in the water that I soaked the bark in. I had no problem with the leaves or the roots being brittle. I didn't have a lot of bad roots (thankfully) so I used the kitchen sprayer to rinse the roots off with tepid water. That also got the last of the old medium out of them. I think I only broke one or two roots. I put it into a finer bark mix than it had been in as the roots are smaller. My leaves do not seem to be a bit brittle. Just a little caution and it was fine. I am going to keep it dryer for a week or so to avoid any rot ( I hope!).

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by kmccormic

Daethen, Birdsongfarm:

How did you handle the brittleness of the leaves/roots? Did you have any problems?

I soaked the pot (with plant) for 1/2 hour before I started messing with it. I then squeezed and rolled the pot in my hands loosening as many root as possible and the plant came out easily. Most of the old material came off the roots easily so I just popped it in a new pot and away we go back to its happy place.

Do you use any fungicide as a preventative measure since these guys get re-potted less frequently?

I'm sure I should but I don't use as fungicide. I'll no doubt be sorry someday but until then it is as much chemical free for me.

Al

[Orchidreamer]

Wow, fabulous plant!

I don't find their leaves/roots to be particularly brittle. The leaves seem to be tough as leather.

I had to repot mine as an emergency measure because I left mine soaking in a pot of water for 5 days. The ultimate story of careless forgetfulness, which seems to be a paradox because I'm normally obsessive about my orchids. It didn't seem to have too many roots, but enough to set my heart at ease. It kept right on growing after the repot, and now it has 1 new bulb and new roots.