Psychopsis ID question to "the experts" ;)

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by gixrj18

Good luck!

thanks..

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

On the other hand, this all made me curious and I decided to do some research on the topic. I have sent messages to 2 friends of mine, who have access to scientific libraries, asking them to get some scientific publications about this genus, including the original descrotion of all 5 species. If they can compile these papers and send them to me, I will prepare a summary and publish it here it will be like doing some homework from my University time

If you would like, I can try to find articles for you as well. I'm sure the libraries of Wageningen University must be full of interesting stuff! I also have access through the university to many online scientific article databases. This week I'm busy studying for my Plant Breeding exam that's on friday, but starting next week I've got lots of spare time...

[Orchidaddict]

I was wondering if Jasen of gixrj18 would give me his mixing ratio for Epsom salts for the Psychopsis, and how often to use and where the application should go. Over the whole plant or just on the medium under the plant?
Thanks

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by Orchidaddict

I was wondering if Jasen of gixrj18 would give me his mixing ratio for Epsom salts for the Psychopsis, and how often to use and where the application should go. Over the whole plant or just on the medium under the plant?
Thanks

I add about a tablespoon of Epsom salts per gallon of water into every feeding...once a week in the winter, twice a week in the summer. I dissolve it in a little hot water, then add my fertilizer and the remaining cool water. I spray the whole plant and media using a pump-sprayer. However, after letting it soak in for a little while, I give it a good rinse of straight water.

[Orchidaddict]

So, Jasen; are your Psychopsis mounted or in pots? I'm surprized that you add the Epsom salts so often in all seasons. I had read about a Cattelaya grower who soaks the potted Cat. twice a year. Not that I doubt your choice. You know more about the Psychopsis that I. This is my first endeavor with them. Mine is in a pot. With that in mind, would you make a recommendation for my potted Psychopsis. It is ready to open within the next week or so. It has two bloom shoots, one was broken off previously and that one is swelling with a bloom also.....They are perhaps the most interesting and rewarding 'chid' I've purchased so far.....
Thanks for your help....

[kavanaru]

pfuiii... I had forgotten this thread completelly....

in between, I was at the nursery again, and had a long discussion with the owner. The plant I have posted here, is indeed Psychopsis papilio var. albiflora

Psychopsis papilio var. albiflora on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

in this discussion, I learned for example, that a typical characteristic of Psychopsis papilio is the flat spike (especially towards the end). Apparently, no other Psychopsis especies have this, and all others have almost perfect round spikes - (Ok, I learned this from the guy and am keeping as a true, however, I have not been able to confirm it with literature! but trust this guy, as he has a name in Switzerland as an orchids breeder)

He promises to give some drawings of the disected flowers from the original descriptions, where the differences of the columns can be observed. I will pick them, the next time I go to visit him.... if I am allowed i will publish them here too

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by Orchidaddict

So, Jasen; are your Psychopsis mounted or in pots? I'm surprized that you add the Epsom salts so often in all seasons. I had read about a Cattelaya grower who soaks the potted Cat. twice a year. Not that I doubt your choice. You know more about the Psychopsis that I. This is my first endeavor with them. Mine is in a pot. With that in mind, would you make a recommendation for my potted Psychopsis. It is ready to open within the next week or so. It has two bloom shoots, one was broken off previously and that one is swelling with a bloom also.....They are perhaps the most interesting and rewarding 'chid' I've purchased so far.....
Thanks for your help....

I personally use it with this application on all my 500-ish orchids, from the seedlings on up to the adults. I think the key is the good hard rinse I give them after every feeding. Plus, once a year, I like to give them a salt-leaching solution (such as Clearex), just to be on the safe side. I use many additional supplements with my fertilizer, which makes me able to use less fertilizer....therefore helping lower the salt intake from fertilizers. Oh, and my butterflies are all mounted. I've had a much easier time with them this way. I have a mister system, so when they are grown upright (in a pot), they tend to retain water in all of the sheaths left on the spike by past flowers. Living in Florida, I then end up with a fungus trying to work it's way back down the spike, towards the plant. I've had the pleasure of having to cut three 5' spikes off of a Psychopsis....it's okay though, those three turned into five spikes, after they got snipped! Besides, you won't see the true magic of a butterfly orchid, until you see one hanging from a mounted plant. They just kind of float there, bobbing in the breeze, like a true butterfly....I will never pot another one! Also, when they are potted, you have to be really careful not to over-water. They like there roots to have lots of air. If the media is wet, don't water it until it's just about dry, or you will get root-rot. I like to feed them heavily, this is another reason I keep mine mounted. I would say about an eighth of my orchid collection is mounted....after all, that is how they grow in the wild. I believe under the right environment, an orchid will grow on just about anything. Potting media is simply a way to try to compensate for an environment that is lacking the conditions to sustain an orchid. This is my opinion anyway. Fortunately, I live in the right conditions, and get to see this first-hand. However you grow it, good luck....I hope I have been of some help.

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

pfuiii... I had forgotten this thread completelly....

in between, I was at the nursery again, and had a long discussion with the owner. The plant I have posted here, is indeed Psychopsis papilio var. albiflora

Psychopsis papilio var. albiflora on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

in this discussion, I learned for example, that a typical characteristic of Psychopsis papilio is the flat spike (especially towards the end). Apparently, no other Psychopsis especies have this, and all others have almost perfect round spikes - (Ok, I learned this from the guy and am keeping as a true, however, I have not been able to confirm it with literature! but trust this guy, as he has a name in Switzerland as an orchids breeder)

He promises to give some drawings of the disected flowers from the original descriptions, where the differences of the columns can be observed. I will pick them, the next time I go to visit him.... if I am allowed i will publish them here too

This is good to know....thanks Ramon!

[Orchidaddict]

Thank you for sharing with me Jasen, I do so appreciate the information you've offered. I agree 100% However, I'm way out of the kind of environment Florida offers Orchid growers/hobbiests. I live in Wisconsin. I don't have 500 orchids. Mine are in the house. I don't currently see myself mounting any of my orchids, although I may change my mind.
I may be reading into your post more than what's really there. However, seems like you use the Epsom salts on all varities of orchids, correct? Logic would point me in that direction.
I value your expertise and will make sure I don't over-water my Psychopsis. Thanks...

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by Orchidaddict

Thank you for sharing with me Jasen, I do so appreciate the information you've offered. I agree 100% However, I'm way out of the kind of environment Florida offers Orchid growers/hobbiests. I live in Wisconsin. I don't have 500 orchids. Mine are in the house. I don't currently see myself mounting any of my orchids, although I may change my mind.
I may be reading into your post more than what's really there. However, seems like you use the Epsom salts on all varities of orchids, correct? Logic would point me in that direction.
I value your expertise and will make sure I don't over-water my Psychopsis. Thanks...

Yes, I use it on all my orchids. I wouldn't call it expertise (but thank you), it's just what works for me. Hope it helps you, good luck!