Phsycopsis, cut or not to cut

[Don Perusse]

I have a phsycopsis that has 4 pseudo, 3 leaves and 1" new growth. One spike that bloomed then branched out on top and produced two blooms. Nothing since as the tip ends appear to be dry. In view of the new growth do I cut the spike off and let it develope another or hang on to see if it will still produce blooms? The stem of the spike is still very green. Thanks.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Hang on to it. You never know. If it doesn't bloom for another year or so, remove it.

[Bird Song Farm]

Yep, leave it alone. I've had them rest quite awhile before starting to blossom again.
Al

[trdyl]

With these guys if the spike is not dry and brown leave them on.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by trdyl

With these guys if the spike is not dry and brown leave them on.

That's the key with Psychopsis.... they will let you know when they get "fed up" of that spike

[catwalker808]

Common wisdom about these plants (papilio, kramerianum & closely related species & hybrids) is that you should not cut off the spike until you are certain it's dried out.

There is a big "however." Many times, I have cut off spikes because after a few years, they have gotten so long and droopy that they got in the way & became a nuisance. But I have found that there is a place to cut them so that the spike will regenerate with a new extension that will grow & spike. I count 3 nodes from the base of the old spike (the end of the spike closest to the plant). Then I cut the old spike above the third node.

I have found that by thus eliminating the apex of the flower spike, the third node becomes the new apex and produces a new flower spike on the old one. It will grow in the same direction as the original, so aside from a little nub where the old spike was cut, the new spike will not be unsightly. Cutting above the first or second node would probably work, but doing it above the third gives me a safety margin. Also, if I ever want to do it again, I still have the two nodes on the old spike (in addition to any node on the new spike).

Another reason we cut off spikes (higher than the third node) is that when we ship, it's a real pain & very expensive to ship a 30" box, which contains a 6-8" plant. Curling the spike is not a very good option either, because the spike will develop a permanent kink or spiral, which just doesn't look very good.

Having said all of this, just for your info ... my advice is to leave your spike if you can. If you do cut, do so at your own risk. I can have a rather cavalier attitude about cutting because we have lots of plants around. That's the reason I was able to experiment with cutting off spikes. And don't do it in the middle of winter.

[Grandma M]

Catwalker, thanks for that interesting info. It is good to know what to do when they become out of control and unsightly.

Marilyn

[Don Perusse]

Thanks guy for the advice. I like Catwalker's advice about cutting above the node....same principle as with Bonsai and even phals. Cut above the 2nd or 3rd node will cause branching thus more flowers over a longer period of time. Sorry I didn't respond earlier but landed in the hospital. Happy growing to all!DON

[W Stender]

One thing I have learned about psychopsis is that they love light. They can take very high leval because inthe wild they grow toward the tops of the trees. If I give them very high levals in a east and south facing corner of our sunroom, I get almost constant blooming. Try kicking up the light levals and see if that will innitiate blooming again. A friend of mine with an identical plant never has luck because of light issus with his house.

[Pamela52]

Hi all, I have one with 2 spikes, One started to grow a bud, then it dried up, just cut it off above the last healthy node. room humidity is always above 50% Temp at nite is 65F days 70's. Its near my light table 1800ftcs. Does anyone know why this happens? I dont let it get completely dry. Water it weekly, unless warmer temps. Thanks pam