Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildos' culture assistance, please!

[charmbutterfly]

Hmm i have a psychopsis and it is growing in full light along side my catts and its doing great. It has two new growths that are shooting up quickly!

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by charmbutterfly

Hmm i have a psychopsis and it is growing in full light along side my catts and its doing great. It has two new growths that are shooting up quickly!

That's 2 for the record! It's a done deal!!!! You've cemented it all for me now charmbutterfly! I'm going out right now and moving my little newbie. Thank you.

[charmbutterfly]

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

That's 2 for the record! It's a done deal!!!! You've cemented it all for me now charmbutterfly! I'm going out right now and moving my little newbie. Thank you.

Now hold on there a second whippersnapper

You have to move that baby gradually into the higher light. Don't just throw it to the wolves!

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by charmbutterfly

Now hold on there a second whippersnapper

You have to move that baby gradually into the higher light. Don't just throw it to the wolves!

Yes, I know. I just moved it from the Phal shelves to the medium light Bulbo shelves!

And thanks for calling me a whippersnapper! It conjurs up memories of days long gone by. I feel more like a fossil lately.

[charmbutterfly]

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

Yes, I know. I just moved it from the Phal shelves to the medium light Bulbo shelves!

And thanks for calling me a whippersnapper! It conjurs up memories of days long gone by. I feel more like a fossil lately.

I'll do anything i can to help

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

I'm so glad you chimed in here D&S Mabel. I've read they need Phal light and I've also read, high light....ARGH!!! I just don't get the split in opinions in all the articles I've read on these so I'm glad you set the record straight. I'd rather hear from those here who are actually growing these than to read another conflicting report.

What kind of medium are you using? Do these need near drying conditions? Are you growing in/out doors?

Thanks for your input, here.

Truth is, these have a pretty broad light range in which they will bloom. I have had them bloom in low and high light, but I must say that they are definitely more productive in high light. If you are torn between them, split the difference, and put it in medium light. They will grow in all three ranges. Personally, I would suggest mounting it, mine have reacted well to being mounted.....and it really brings them to life. Also, it helps keep water from settling in the sheaths, which I have had lead to fungus traveling down the spike! Had to cut'em, but then they multiplied!

[Sandy4453]

Another choice....OY This is something to definitely consider and put into the "someday" file. Thank you Jasen! Right now, I'm not in my own home so I'm borrowing the growing space my orchids are in. Space is a precious commodity here and mounting is something I don't have any room for. I've thought about it for this plant though...for someday, not now. I promised myself, only 50 orchids...that was the limit and that was about 125 orchids ago! I'm such a pushover

This is a definite, 'someday.'

Thanks!

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

Another choice....OY This is something to definitely consider and put into the "someday" file. Thank you Jasen! Right now, I'm not in my own home so I'm borrowing the growing space my orchids are in. Space is a precious commodity here and mounting is something I don't have any room for. I've thought about it for this plant though...for someday, not now. I promised myself, only 50 orchids...that was the limit and that was about 125 orchids ago! I'm such a pushover

This is a definite, 'someday.'

Thanks!

Mounting has actually saved me space, over half of my 380-something mature plants are mounted. This means you can hang it on anything!

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by gixrj18

Mounting has actually saved me space, over half of my 380-something mature plants are mounted. This means you can hang it on anything!

Except my space is closing in on me and getting smaller and smaller especially, this time of year as the bright light is beginning to dissipate for the next 5 months.

[D&S Mabel]

Seems there is some agreement to the light requirements. I managed to sunburn one from direct light but it could have been the heat/light combo here and/or not letting the plant slow adjust the the direct sun.

I grow mine outside and they sit just under the overhand of the roof on my pool deck. Probably close to the brightest shade area I have., in amongst my other oncidiums. I have them in clay pots and they get watered once every three days - unless it rains. The grower I got them from had them in mostly sphagnum and styro peanuts but the plants didn't like it this summer when the daily FL. rains kicked in about everyday as the roots started dying back for being constantly wet (sphag doesn't work at all for me outside except a little bit blended into my phals but they are far under cover and don't get rained on). I've had like "wet feet" experiences with my other onc. types as well.

I find that my Psychopsis - not sure of the plural of that one!! - do like to just about dry out. I potted them in a blend of Better-Gro Special Orchid mix and treefern & redwood mix that drains very fast. I broke the larger pieces in the mix up into smaller ones. They seem to be doing just fine in that but I did buy an "oncidium" mix from Repotme.com a week ago that I might try on them when they stop blooming.

Best advice I can give as you try to find what conditions these like in you area - keep an eye on the roots. The roots can be just about gone and this plant will keep happily blooming, giving little or no sign that there are issues.

Good luck.