PSYCHOPSIS MARIPOSA - Orchid Board

Fiona · #1 09-27-2013, 10:39 AM

Can anybody tell me if the flowering stalks of the Psychopsis Mariposa ever get flowered out and need to get cut back?

The plant has two flowering stalks, one only developed last year. The older stalk flowered profusely in the past, but has not flowered since the new stalk developed. It develops buds, but they never mature, where in the past it developed a flower within a few weeks of the other dropping. As soon as the new stalk developed fully, it stopped flowering.

I have given it commercial orchid food at regular intervals and it is potted in coir chunks, but possibly could do with repotting.

Vanda lover · #2 09-27-2013, 11:35 AM

I'm sorry that I can't help you, but I would also like to know more about phychopsis. I would like to get one.

FSUOrchids · #3 09-27-2013, 12:12 PM

No, those spikes can produce flowers for many years

silken · #4 09-27-2013, 12:30 PM

How are the roots? Maybe it just doesn't have enough energy for both of them to flower. I have just recently seen one with 3 spikes all in bloom, so it should be able to bloom.

Fiona · #5 09-27-2013, 12:43 PM

I am going to repot it this week and hopefully it will do better. At present it is in coir chunks, and am thinking of using coir peat with some fine bark added to it.

kindrag23 · #6 09-27-2013, 12:50 PM

How long does it take for one to bloom? I have received one in bud from a fellow ob'er and it has yet to bloom...fearing it may be trying to bud blast.

silken · #7 09-27-2013, 12:57 PM

I don't keep track very well, but if it was a very small bud it could take a few weeks at least. You should notice the bud slowly growing tho.

kindrag23 · #8 09-27-2013, 12:59 PM

Ummmm that could be an issue because I am blind as a BAT!!!HAHA, what type of light do they like....I almost fear that i burned the crap out of it when I first received it.

jeremyinsf · #9 09-27-2013, 01:10 PM

Psychopsis spikes should only be cut off when they totally shrivel up and die back.

The plant can rest for some time (and in cases, a lot of time) and then bloom off those same spikes again. It might have flowers all at once, it could rest for months.

silken · #10 09-27-2013, 01:19 PM

I grow mine in about the same amount of light as a Phal or Paph. Not real bright. It seems to be doing well and has developed a large new growth and continues to bloom of the old spike. No spike from the new growth yet, but it is not quite mature yet. Over winter I had it under a T5. but now the spike is too tall.