New Psychopsis - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Paul · #11 06-30-2011, 12:28 AM

Love the one with the heavily mottled leaves!

Franco24 · #12 06-30-2011, 12:29 AM

It is literally a jungle. Stuff is starting to get so big that I'm having a hard time moving them. My umbrella plant, two gardenia, and the lantana standards for example. I had to put my Ensente "Maurelli" banana in the ground because it busted the pot it was in and was just getting too darn big. I'm going to have to dig it up and store it this winter.

Anyways, back on topic, do you guys have any basic care tips for psychopsis? I have had them in the past, but just want a refresher ...

I understand they like to dry out between waterings, need moderate light and hate being disturbed? Anything else I should know?

And how about fertilizer and how often? Should I go with a good balanced orchid fert, or can I use fish emulsion? I have had great results with the fish on all my tropicals - any good reason why I shouldn't use it on my paphs or the psychopsis?

Norris · #13 06-30-2011, 11:34 AM

I've had my Psychopsis for a few years now, and to be honest, it grows like a weed! It started out with 2 growths, and 2 spikes, and I now have seven spikes

I do fertilize every few waterings when I fertilize everything else. I have a few different kinds of fertilizer, and switch them around. I give lots of water when in active growth, and in a bloom cycle. Then let dry out a bit more between waterings in the winter.

I made a big mistake last year when I left it outside on my patio, and it got sunburned. I just cut off the burned part, and it seems to be fine now. I would say keep an eye out that they don't get more than an hour or two of direct morning light.

I repotted it one time into coconut husk chips, and I must of did it at just the right time, because there was no sulking which I heard they can do after repotting. Good luck with your new ones!

Sekhmet · #14 06-30-2011, 01:18 PM

Beautiful! I am jealous of your Alba, I just purchases a Hildos in spike...Alba is next on the list.

I agree about TJs for orchids. You have to check pretty diligently, though. I got a Zygonesia cynosure, Zygopetallum "Blue Lake", two named Paphs, and three or four named Oncidiums at Trader Joes. Typically, they only have Phals and some huge Cyms, but every once in a while, you get a gem!

Franco24 · #15 07-03-2011, 02:54 PM

Time for an update, I thought the bud on my Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildos' FCC/AOS was going to blast because of shipping stress, but as it turns out - I think it's going to bloom!