Psychosis

[mattryan]

I purchased yesterday my first psychosis. Was at a nursery and saw on the clearance rack; pyp papilio. I knew it was some type of orchid, but no idea. For 70% off I figured what da heck. I brought it and an onc. Heavenly scent home with me. Which smells like onc sharry baby, almost exactly same flowers, but smaller 70% off as well. So now I have a couple of questions. I did a re-pot on the psychosis as it was in sphagg and the litt. that I've read says they need to dry between waterings. I noticed a growth on the side of a pbulb and I am wondering what it is, a spike or new pbulb. Also the spike is still green so I've left it on. I don't know if the green leaf like thing at the top is a new flower starting or not any advice would be apprieciated thankyou.

P.S. I also posted pics of the onc.

Cheryl

[wuness]

Did you mean Psychopsis? I'll let others chime in on culture since I recently repotted one and haven't seen any response so far.

wuness

[mattryan]

Yes I meant psychopsis forgot the "P".

[Brenda Aarts]

Congrats, a good deal, although it is a small plant. Looks to be a bit overpotted to me, although hard to tell exactly. I water mine 1 - 2 times per week (when dry) and when in bud as yours is I mist the buds every few days. Mine take a fair bit of sun - in a south west window. Good luck with it.

[vjo]

Hi Matt, a couple things here, Psy. hate to have their roots disturbed,I wait until it cracks a plastic pot then just take it out of the pot and place the whole thing in a bigger pot. Other wise it may take a year or so for it to quit sulking. Also never cut a spike off the plant ,they will bloom on a spike for a long time,yours is already forming another bloom. In the meantime it will probably send a new spike or two out with every new growth, just dont cut them off unless they die. .....Jean

[bellini girl]

Yeah matt, what vyo said These are sequential bloomers and can keep producing flowers for months. I have the yellow variety that has been flowering since Jan this year with no sign of letting up

[ronaldhanko]

The temptation to make something of the purchased Psychosis is almost too good to miss, but I'm terrified that if I say anything all my nightmares will come true.

[Bud]

they all gave you very good advice....I put my papilio in a saucerful of water, and when it dries its time to bring it under the sink and let the water flow for 5 min....anchor it with wire; it doesnt want to wobble and move in the pot(the spike can grow tall and make the plant unsteady), the more you disturb the roots= the more it will sulk and dont bloom....

[Stray59]

Wanted to say - I got my psychosis for free and it is huge! In fact, I swear it gets bigger daily! () -
I also have a psychopsis and it is still in active bloom. I want to re-pot, but refuse to as I don't want to lose one bloom. Good to know not to disturb the roots more than I have to.
(I agree with the above info - but as a social worker, I just couldn't pass up the "psychosis" word play)
Steve

Those are great finds for a clearance rack. I have a seedling of psycho and am still learning about them.