Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildos' culture assistance, please!

[Sandy4453]

I received my Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildos' this afternoon.

Is this in the Oncidium tribe? I've read that it requires low light (like Phals). Is that correct? Anyone here growing this in pots?

It's in a 2&1/2" pot and it looks like it's been raised in some sort of hard styrofoam (have never seen this) and surrounded by spagh.

I plan to just move the plant (with this mystery styrofoam) into another pot but I don't know what the best medium for this plant is and how much light and watering it takes.

Can someone please advise? Thanks much!

[kavanaru]

I have Mendenhall and Kalihi 'Big'. They have been growing like mad: leaves approx. 7.5" long, but no spikes yet. They are growing under T8 together with my Phals, as I had read they like low light. However, I have been newly advice to give them more light (which make sense if you keep in mind they receive - at least paipilio - quite high light levels in the wild in Venezuela), so I have changed them to under T5 with the Cattleyas. They like to dry out between watering, however, they do well in S/H (my both plants are growing well in S/H)

I only hope they start spiking some day

[bonsai1504]

Oak Hill Gardens
this has culture information.

[Dorothy]

Here is some additional info from Orchidweb.com - Orchid of the Week Library: Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildos' FCC/AOS
Check out Jasen's thread on his 'butterflies' - http://www.orchidboard.com/community...verywhere.html

[Sandy4453]

Dorothy, thanks for the Orchid Web link. I didn't think to look there. Great info and all I need to know to get started. Jason is the one that pushed me into crossing this off my wish list....saw his thread and it was a done deal!

kavanaru, moving yours into higher light as you've done, is what the Orchid Web site advises to initiate spiking. I'll be looking out for your pics when this happens.

bonsai1504, aaah OakHill, one of my favorite places to use my credit card.

Thanks everybody for your help!

[Dorothy]

You are welcome as always

[Sandy4453]

I just heard from the vendor who sold this plant to me. The mystery of what looked like styrofoam surrounding the plant, is a foam growing block the plant was placed in when it went from flask into a plug tray.

Would it be advised to just pot it up into the new medium next spring (when it's ready) instead of trying to remove it? It appears that this material will break down on it's own and less root disturbance caused but not sure.

[Lagoon]

Sandy,

I have not seen this placed in or around styro but had mine come in with rockwool block (plug). I did repot it up in sphag & coarse rok. t fussed for about 10 day afterwards, then bulbs filled up again.
I allow some drying in between waterings but not completely dried out.
I keep this under catt lighting, but people have been successful at blooming these under lower lights aswell.

Try different thing see how it works for you - Enjoy your orchid

[D&S Mabel]

I bought a couple of these from a grower in Fort Pierce, FL. who had a ton of them growing and blooming in cattleya light conditions - in fact, had them right along side. He claimed they are light lovers and bloom better in bright light. I've followed his advice and the plants are doing great.

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by D&S Mabel

I bought a couple of these from a grower in Fort Pierce, FL. who had a ton of them growing and blooming in cattleya light conditions - in fact, had them right along side. He claimed they are light lovers and bloom better in bright light. I've followed his advice and the plants are doing great.

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.