Psychopsis Problem

[thomas_k]

Hi all,
I have two Psychopsis kalihis and one is happily blooming right now; the other one had it's bud decapitated by a Phal. a month or two ago. Since then, it has not produced a new bud, and I was wondering what I could do about that. I've heard of people snapping the tips of the spike to induce blooming, but that sounds like a last ditch effort. What should I do? Suggestions are greatly appreciated

[PaphMadMan]

Patience. If the spike wasn't damaged in the accident it will bloom when it is ready. I wouldn't necessarily expect a new bud to develop quickly just because one was broken off. I'd give it plenty of time before doing anything drastic.

[thomas_k]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll just wait and see

[jrodpad]

Agreed. Don't cut the spike!

After a flower but before a new bud forms I check the tip of the spike from time to time by holding a tiny, little, single LED light behind the spike-tip. It illuminates the tip of the spike much the same way that a flashlight bulb pressed against your finger lights up your fingertip. By doing this, you can see the bud forming in the spike even before it pops out of the spike tip. Caution - don't actually press the light against the spike tip - also, be sure that the light is cool to the touch so that you don't damage the spike tip.

Hope this helps.

- J