Psychopsis Papilio help! - Orchid Board

Syrinth · #1 07-25-2010, 08:05 PM

Hello everyone, I bought a Papilio in April at the local orchid show. It was in bloom but the flower withered and dropped perhaps two weeks after I brought it home.

Since then, the cane has begun to wither, starting at the top. I originally checked under the withered brown material and had hope because there was a green nubbin. Now the top three segments are withered.

Additionally, the bottom leaf began to turn yellow last week and as of now is entirely yellow and floppy.

I originally kept it in a corner of my bedroom on the same wall as the South-facingwindow to avoid direct light as I was instructed but then the yellowing began. I have now placed it in front of the window which has some diffused light, it is kept on a tray of rocks with water in it...

Help?

PaphMadMan · #2 07-25-2010, 08:29 PM

The pot isn't actually touching the wet rocks is it? That could keep it far too wet = root rot = dying plant.

Syrinth · #3 07-25-2010, 10:10 PM

It's sitting on top of the rocks, the pot is not submerged. However, the pot is itself full of rocks because the plant is in a much smaller pot inside it and the rocks are the only thing keeping it from falling over >.<

PaphMadMan · #4 07-25-2010, 10:46 PM

Hmmm... Probably not too wet then. Too dry?

Syrinth · #5 07-25-2010, 10:48 PM

I was told to let it dry out between waterings, false information I assume? Maybe I've been letting it get too dry... the weather has been a bit tetchy lately...

Although that still doesn't explain the early drop or the cane dieback which has been going on for a while...

What is the humidity requirement for them?

Duane McDowell · #6 07-25-2010, 11:11 PM

Probably too dry. Particularly if they're potted small, they need water quite frequently. Best advice would be to water "the day before it gets totally dry."
If in doubt, insert a clean dry wooden toothpick into one of the drain holes of the growing pot. Hold it in place for about 10 seconds. If, on removing the toothpick, the toothpick is darkened, the pot still has some moisture in it. If not, it's totally dry. However long it took to get dry, water one day sooner... Eventually, you'll be able to do it by weight, but this is a good start for you.
Sounds like the flower spike is a goner. Good news is that they flower pretty often when they're happy.

Syrinth · #7 07-25-2010, 11:18 PM

I am so sad now...

Oh well, thank you for clearing up, how much light does it need? Was indirect correct?

Lastly, should I cut down the entire spike since it's dying, or just cut back to the green?

jkofferdahl · #8 07-26-2010, 11:54 AM

Though I grow mostly Phalaenopsis, I absolutely love Psychopsis. Something about the flower really excites me. I have three, and between them it seems that one is always in bloom - which keeps my wife quite happy, too.

It's pretty difficult to get a Psychopsis too dry, in fact, almost a challenge to. They do, however, like the humidity, so perhaps an occasional misting would help. Also, I think it could possibly use more light. Though they don't like bright, direct sunlight they do like bright light, a step up from where Paphs or even Phals are happy.

It's not unusual, either, for an older leaf to yellow and die off. And the spikes won't last forever, though sometimes they seem to. It's possible that the stem has just run out its blooming cycle. I don't know how long the cycle should last, but I suspect it could range from just a few total flowers (they bloom one flower at a time, sequentially) to a dozen or more; this is going to depend upon the overall health of the plant as well as the plant's inherent genetics.

How do the pseudobulbs look? My Psychopsis plants seem to do well with some wrinkling in the bulbs. If yours are fairly plump, reduce watering. Do you have any signs of new growth on the plant? If not, you can really allow it to get dry between waterings, though heavier during active growth.

Syrinth · #9 07-26-2010, 12:18 PM

I have no signs of new growth at all, the p-bulbs seem to be a little wrinkled...

I think the thing needs a real repotting... the roots don't seem very healthy... I'll post a picture today in a bit...

Oscarman · #10 08-08-2010, 02:16 AM

I have not had much experience with Psychopsis in pots, preferring to grow them mounted and I have done successfully in a windowsill without daily misting, humidity trays and all that.

Mine have a bit of moss under the roots and they get watered daily or every 2 days. They should dry out quickly and be ready for watering again the next day.

Mine get 1-2 hours of afternoon sun.

Older leaves do fade and spikes only last so long......curious about your plants roots and potting media.....