Psychopsis repotting

[groundpounder17]

I had a Psychopsis Mendenhall ‘Hildos’ arrive in the mail with the media not staying in the container thus necessitating a repot. I had a Psychopsis years ago that did not like repotting so I’m hoping that I can get some tips on how to minimize the shock and have a successful repotting.

Here’s pics of after I cleaned the roots and repotted

[Ray]

You can minimize transplant shock by watering it in with a 2 TBSP/gal Kelpak solution, then watering it two more times with the same concentration. After that 1 TBSP/gal, once a month added to your fertilizer solutions is fine.

[sunfire]

I wish you luck and hope to see some good responses here.

My first experience with seeing a plant have a heart attack was when I also bought a Psychopsis in the mail and it had partially fallen out of its pot in shipping. It was not as healthy as yours however.

After I repotted it I put it in a glass container (cloche) to increase the ambient humidity. I watched it die over the next few days. It was amazingly quick.

I've since bought another from a local nursery because I am just in love with the plant otherwise. It has been growing well in the pot it came in but even that took a few months to get acclimated. I don't know what I'm going to do when I need to repot it.

[groundpounder17]

Originally Posted by Ray

You can minimize transplant shock by watering it in with a 2 TBSP/gal Kelpak solution, then watering it two more times with the same concentration. After that 1 TBSP/gal, once a month added to your fertilizer solutions is fine.

Thank you for the response, Ray. Should I increase watering frequency after the repot? Especially since it’s new bark?

I’ll order some Kelpak solution from First Rays today. Just so I know how much to order do you recommend always using this? Do you use it with all your orchids?

Edit: I just ordered 2 bottles, Ray. Thanks!



---------- Post added at 03:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:57 PM ----------

Originally Posted by sunfire

I wish you luck and hope to see some good responses here.

My first experience with seeing a plant have a heart attack was when I also bought a Psychopsis in the mail and it had partially fallen out of its pot in shipping. It was not as healthy as yours however.

After I repotted it I put it in a glass container (cloche) to increase the ambient humidity. I watched it die over the next few days. It was amazingly quick.

I've since bought another from a local nursery because I am just in love with the plant otherwise. It has been growing well in the pot it came in but even that took a few months to get acclimated. I don't know what I'm going to do when I need to repot it.

I had one close to 15 years ago that did not do well when I repotted thus why I’m seeking more guidance this time.

[Leafmite]

I just potted my new, tiny, Mendenhall 'Hildos' in 1/4 inch lava rock. It was in NZ sphagnum moss and that does not work well for me with orchids during the winter. They usually put out new growth two to three times a year so it should be okay. I am not intending to ever pot it again.

[WaterWitchin]

Yeah, psychopsis do tend to regret having their roots fooled with. The Kelpak will help. Since you're using an organic medium, the next time you have to change medium I'd suggest not "cleaning the roots." Just shake it off a little, whatever stays attached leave it, and definitely don't do any root "trimming." Just shake, and start putting in the new medium.

I grow in SH, so have never had to repot. They grow pretty darned slowly and mine have all been in same pot for many years. I figure in another five or so years I may have to upsize the pot.

[groundpounder17]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Yeah, psychopsis do tend to regret having their roots fooled with. The Kelpak will help. Since you're using an organic medium, the next time you have to change medium I'd suggest not "cleaning the roots." Just shake it off a little, whatever stays attached leave it, and definitely don't do any root "trimming." Just shake, and start putting in the new medium.

I grow in SH, so have never had to repot. They grow pretty darned slowly and mine have all been in same pot for many years. I figure in another five or so years I may have to upsize the pot.

I almost did just as you described, but I went ahead and cleaned the roots. I did not do any trimming and tried to be as careful as possible with the roots.
I ordered the Kelpak solution yesterday so I hope it ships out today and arrives soon. I’ve not had good luck repotting psychopsis in the past, but I’m thinking this time around I’ll be more meticulous and hopefully, better educated on how to handle it.

[groundpounder17]

Originally Posted by Ray

You can minimize transplant shock by watering it in with a 2 TBSP/gal Kelpak solution, then watering it two more times with the same concentration. After that 1 TBSP/gal, once a month added to your fertilizer solutions is fine.

Ray, is this the way you recommend using Kelpak solution on all repotted plants or just this one in particular? Also wondering what dosage you would recommend on a seedling (not repotted)? Half the dosage for seedlings? 1/2 TBSP/gal once per month?

For this Psychopsis you recommended 2 TBSP/ gal for 3 feedings in a row then go to 1 TBSP/gal once per month?

Thanks for your help, Ray. I got the shipping tracking info and my order should arrive Tuesday.