Question regarding potting of Psychopsis Mendenhall

[Paul Mc]

I just bought a baby Psychopsis and I am wondering what size pot to place it in. My reading on the plant says that it doesn't like being moved once it's planted so I thought I should opt for a really big pot so I don't have to replant it. Is that correct?

My understanding of it was that if you repotted it then blooming would be stunted.

Anyone out there with some familiarity on Psychopsis Mendenhall Hildos that could give me some advice?

For that matter, how big does it get at maturity and how long does it take to get to a mature size? Mine has 4 leaves and they are about 3 inches long each.

[RosieC]

Sorry I can't help Paul, just giving a bump

[Bird Song Farm]

I would not use a large pot. Orchids prefer to be root bound. A new pot no more than 2" larger than the one it is in now. That leaves about 1" of new space all around the present roots. Be gentle when re potting, it's not necessary to get every bit of the old medium out.
Mine usually puts out 2 new leaves a year and your growing conditions will determine how fast it grows.

Leaves will eventually be about 12" long so it get to be quite a big plant with 3' flower spikes.
Hope this helps some.

[Paul Mc]

That sure did help Bird Song Farm - thank you.

And thanks Rosie for the bump!

[Donald]

I've got a couple and birdsongs info is "right on", at least that's the way I take care of mine. Be careful of any spikes as they break rather easily.

[DSDNYC]

I agree with the advice given above. I have several Psychopisis, and repotting has not been an issue so far. Small pots suit them. And yes, the spikes do break easily if you're not careful.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Bird Song Farm

Leaves will eventually be about 12" long so it get to be quite a big plant with 3' flower spikes.
Hope this helps some.

Do you mean that the leaves can attain 12", or that they start blooming at 12"??? I just got one in september, supposed to be blooming size, and the largest leaf is 5".

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Do you mean that the leaves can attain 12", or that they start blooming at 12"??? I just got one in September, supposed to be blooming size, and the largest leaf is 5".

They can measure 12" long, probably more in old plants.

5" would be blooming size.

Remember, I'm only going on how my plants are doing and what I do. There are as many ways to grow phys. and people usually find what works for them, just like in ary other orchid.

[alsorchids]

I concur with Bird Song Farms comments completely. This is one of the earliest orchids I purchased about four years ago in a 3 inch pot. its now comfortably in a 5 inch pot with a few of the leaves at 12 inches. There are four spikes at 2 to 2.5 feet tall. Bird Song Farm, my Mendenhall bloomed for months till early or mid November. Does yours take 'breaks' also from blooming?

[Bird Song Farm]

Mine usually take a break in Feb. through March.
The 4 older spikes on my Mendenhall are in bud right now with a 5th spike growing well.

Happy Holidays!

Al