Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildos' FCC/AOS

[ryan248]

I remember seeing the spike early January and the flower has fully open! The mimicry of a butterfly always gets me. I'm glad the spike didn't get any taller! The enclosure it is in is only 36" inches tall

[DeaC]

Especially like how vibrant that orange is. Well done.

[tmoney]

wow, now thats a complex flower! what sort of conditions does this plant prefer?? similar to phals by any chance??

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by ryan248

I remember seeing the spike early January and the flower has fully open! The mimicry of a butterfly always gets me. I'm glad the spike didn't get any taller! The enclosure it is in is only 36" inches tall

Don't get too excited about the height of that spike. They can branch out and get taller as time goes by.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by tmoney

wow, now thats a complex flower! what sort of conditions does this plant prefer?? similar to phals by any chance??

Needs more light than a Phal. Also note... what is particularly cool about the genus is the repeat sequential blooming. That spike can keep popping out flowers for several YEARS. Don't ever cut the spike until it is thin and light brown and crispy all the way down, because even it the top dies, as WW noted it can branch. Also, best to use an inorganic medium such as LECA or really good bark like Orchiata. They really don't like repotting.

[ryan248]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Needs more light than a Phal. Also note... what is particularly cool about the genus is the repeat sequential blooming. That spike can keep popping out flowers for several YEARS. Don't ever cut the spike until it is thin and light brown and crispy all the way down, because even it the top dies, as WW noted it can branch. Also, best to use an inorganic medium such as LECA or really good bark like Orchiata. They really don't like repotting.

That's what mine is in, classic Orchiata and chunky perlite. I did have to repot it since the one it was previously in was beyond small. After potting, the root system exploded in growth, a new leaf, and finally a spike. Just made sure to not bother the root system at all when repotting.

[ryan248]

Looks like it is going to branch out...? I don't have the room

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by ryan248

Looks like it is going to branch out...? I don't have the room

Nope, that's just the next bud getting ready to replace the current bloom when it falls off! In the warmer months the sequential blooms appear at a rather fast pace.

I think mine has a spike that has just started to branch, so I can share a photo this weekend. On mine (Psychopsis Butterfly, 12 year old plant) the branched stems don't get much taller the rest.

If you are concerned about height, those are quite easy and adaptable plants (other than repotting, which they hate) and you should be able to keep it happy outside the enclosure. Then you can enjoy the blooms more, and perhaps the flower will flatten out a bit more in lower humidity.

[WaterWitchin]

They're pretty tough plants, other than repotting as Camille mentions. About a year ago I moved two from my orchid growing space (a sun room set up for only orchids) to a downstairs area where my desk is. A less than "ideal" setup supposedly for orchids. Less humidity, no extra light source (sits in south window but shaded by bushes outside the window. Cooler and more random overall temps. Went from RO water to mostly tap water, not fertilized regularly.

I watched carefully for first six or so months, and both are just fine. Blooming just as well, maybe better, and I have the opportunity to see them all day long instead of occasionally (the purpose of the move). If one has an orchid that's ALWAYS in bloom, might as well display it where everyone can enjoy. One also put out another branch. Doubt yours will miss a beat moving out of the display case. And as it gets more spikes, it will definitely overpower the case. It happens slooowly, but might as well start thinking about it now.