Psychopsis papilio

[ohanahana]

beautiful!! what is it potted in??

[ohanahana]

i just rescued one--i need to repot it and don't know whether i should use lava rock, limestone--or something elsei love to repot...

[jaxorchidman]

Just knocked the bud off a spike. RATS!!! It should grow another one right?? Or will that totally make the spike die!?!?!?

[tyme2shine]

mine is just on bark. now it has 3 spike: 1 flower, 1 bud and 1 is still growing...

[tyme2shine]

Again now 2 flowers and the 3rd spike..hope to see flowering all together

[kinknstein]

Hey Jaxorchidman, it should produce some new blooms. Psychopsis can stay in bloom for a very long tme!

[fotofashion]

Mine was forming a bud and some insect came along and ate it. Then the spike broke just above where the bud had formed. Panic Time
But not to worry. A new spike has formed and is growing rapidly. I hope yours does the same.
Beverly A.

[catwalker808]

A lost bud is no problem, since the same spike will elongate and can bloom for years.

I don't suggest anyone do it, but when the spikes on some of our plants get too long, I cut it off above the third node from the base of the spike. Then a new flower spike emerges from the node, elongates and starts to bloom just like the original spike ... except much lower down ... giving a few years again. You can hardly notice the cut unless you look for it.

Having said I don't encourage anyone to do it, I know some people will try ... for whatever reason. If you do, make sure: 1) you are willing to have it fail and lose the flower spike (it won't kill the plant); 2) cut above the third node. (The first or second node may work, but the third node is a hedge and gives you 2 other chances); 3) do it in the plant's active season, not the middle of winter; and 4) don't blame me if it doesn't work, I warned you (I've done it many times and it works for me).

[Dorothy]

Great photo !
Beautiful bloom!