In over my head, as usual...

[samgeo]

So... I went to my very first Southern Ontario Orchid Show today. Just wanted to look... ask questions... enjoy the gorgeous flowers - but no, I had to go and mess that all up by purchasing. 4 plants. Any advice would be tremendously appreciated. In order: Asc. Christensonianum, Rhy. Bangkok Sunset, Phal. Almanis and Psy. Mariposa - 3 lip.

[Dollythehun]

Beautiful bunch Samgeo. I'm no help. But there is a thread started on the Psychopsis.

[Fairorchids]

I don't blame you for getting carried away I will comment only on the first two.

Asctm christensonianum has been reclassified as Vanda christensoniana. I grow these (in a greenhouse) in net pots fill with a spaghnum/bark mix (3:1 ratio) to maintain humidity around the roots. This way I only have to water once a week in winter, and twice a week in summer.

You can also grow it in the 'empty vase' method. Here you set it in a vase so that leaves stick out. Fill with water and let it soak for 15-30 mins; then pour the water out. Residue will keep high humidity around the roots. Do this twice weekly in summer, and weekly in winter. Add a few drops of fertilizer every 3rd time.

The Rhy Bangkok Sunset is actually Perreiraara Bangkok Sunset (Vanda x Rhynchostylis x Aerides). With the Rhy portion that diluted, you can grow it exactly as the first one.

[Roberta]

#3 looks like one of the Phalanopsis species... not sure which one. Does it have a tag? If you can provide enough moisture, I have found that these grow well on mounts or in wood baskets with a little sphagnum, under general Phalaenopsis conditions.

[camille1585]

I have Phal mannii, a parent of phal Almanis. Easy species that grows in standard Phal conditions, just a tad warmer in winter (my humidity levels are rarely under 50% though). I suspect the hybrid will be quite similar. I grow it potted in medium bark.

Psychopsis is also relatively easy, at least in my experience. They like a good amount of light (also helps develop the mottling on the leaves), grow intermediate to warm and apperciate good humidity levels, though lower doesn't seem to bother them much.. They really hate being disturbed and repotted but also don't like stale medium, so the trick is to use a good quality, long lasting medium and repot only when really necessary. Mine is growing in a net pot with large bark chunks, and the net pot is placed inside a slightly larger clear pot which keep humidity around the roots. Last repotting was 6 years ago, and last summer I plucked out a few of the rather degraded pieces and that's it. Seems to enjoy growing it relatively little medium. In the summer they like a lot of water, while still allowed to dry out somewhat between waterings, but Psychopsis are also quite tolerant of underwatering. Last point; never cut the spikes until they are brown and dead, they can bloom off the same spike for up to 10 years. The spikes on mine have been lasting about 7-8 years on average.

[Mountaineer370]

That's a very nice haul. I can certainly understand how "just looking" can turn into bringing several orchids home. They're all very nice. I especially like the Psychopsis Mariposa. I've had my eye on one of those for a while, but it's probably too big for my space.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

That's a very nice haul. I can certainly understand how "just looking" can turn into bringing several orchids home. They're all very nice. I especially like the Psychopsis Mariposa. I've had my eye on one of those for a while, but it's probably too big for my space.

They only get big vertically
If you have space above the plant for the spikes (mine is set on the top shelf of the rack) the plant itself doesn't take up much real estate. Just saying....

[Dollythehun]

I don't agree unless Mariposa is smaller. Mine is wide at the base and the spikes are tall. But, it isn't a "bulky" plant, like a big Oncidium or Wilsonara.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I don't agree unless Mariposa is smaller. Mine is wide at the base and the spikes are tall. But, it isn't a "bulky" plant, like a big Oncidium or Wilsonara.

Interesting. I have a Psychopsis 'Butterfly' that I've had for close to 10 years now, and it's still in the same size pot and the growths are rather upright. Takes up less space that a standard hybrid Phal that have leaves that stick out very far from the pot. Maybe mine is a less vigorous type of Psychopsis?

[Dollythehun]

I'll take a picture today.