Finally emerged from it's cocoon!!!!

[gixrj18]

I bought this Psychopsis papilio (the butterfly orchid) after it had lost it's blooms. So, as you can imagine, I've been waiting for this one!

[gmdiaz]

OMG! It's magnificent.

I can hardly wait for mine to do it.

From where exactly does the spike emerge? Can you show a picture of that too?

[gixrj18]

My camera batteries are dead, right now. I'll try to get one on here, tomorrow. It emerges from the base of the pseudopod, and grows about 2-3 feet (mine has two spikes). The flower emerges from the end, one at a time....kinda looks like it's floating out in the middle of nowhere. Don't cut the spike after it flowers. The butterfly orchid can bloom from the same spike for years.

[cb977]

Fantastic, Jasen!

[smweaver]

Very nice. Can you please provide some cultural information regarding how you're growing this species? How big is the plant itself?

[cb977]

Jasen, do you have that spike staked or have you left it natural? We had a comparison at our last meeting and both plants were gorgeous but the one that wasn't staked was a sight to behold!

[gixrj18]

These are free as could be, swingin' in the wind! The plant consists of 6 pseudobulbs and a keiki, the largest reaching 6"-7". It is mounted on a small cedar plank, and doing very well. I've got it in a constant humidity of 70%, or higher, with daytime temps around 90 degrees, and night time temps from mid 60's-70's. It probably gets around 4000-5000 foot candles of light, where it sits. It has direct sunlight at it's back for the later half of the day, broken up by clear plastic and reed grass blinds. It gets fertilized once a week, with a thorough watering at mid week, a heavy misting (twice a day), and an occasional misting in between with fertilizer.....especially when the spike starts to bud! Plenty of air movement with all of that water. It sits right next to the exhaust fan that I installed on my porch, with a ceiling fan above it, a 24" box fan facing it (on the other side of the porch) which is right below an oscillating fan that sits in front of an ultrasonic fogger. The spikes are constantly moving in the wind.....makes them strong. I also have misters all over that are ran by a humidistat, which come on a couple times a day (while I'm at work). Here's a couple of pictures of the plant, the bloom is fading now, I had to pollinate it before it got too old!

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[quiltergal]

OMG!! Those spikes are unbelievably long!! That is truely amazing. Good growing Jasen.

[Lagoon]

Man I love this orchid!! Nice one Jas!

[OrchidTess]

All I can say is freakin excellent Jasen!!
Everyone should have at least 1 psychopsis....one of the coolest orchids ever. IMHO The only thing that would make it better is some fragrance.