They say this is rare but I seem to encounter this plant being sold on Ebay and some Orchid shows…..so I guess this is not readily available but it is not a dying breed.
And yet, the butterfly orchids of the Psychopsis family are very collectible because of the long lasting large six inch bright yellow flowers that are hanging like butterflies and as soon as the flowers die off it is replaced with another flower just as beautiful and stunning as the first. I was told they will bloom continuously on the same stem for 5-10 years with each flowering adding length to the spike. So I never cut the spikes unless it will wither dry and turn brown.
Psychopsis papilio is found in Trinidad, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru in trees of mountain forests from 800 to 1200 meters
Flowers of the standard color form are bronze and gold whereas the alba form is colored yellow and cream.…this is a four year old plant in tree fern shards, charcoal, sponge rocks and not too much media so it can drain well and help "open up" the mix. The tiny sensitive roots cannot tolerate stagnant conditions and the plants do not like to be repotted frequently. I repot every two years just when new roots appear =this may come at the same time as new spikes about springtime. The plant should be firmly anchored so that it does not wobble ….and since I disturbed the roots; I go easy on the watering until the new roots reach about one inch in length.
Good air movement is helpful to these plants to dry faster between watering and will also help to prevent the stagnant humid environment where dangerous pathogens thrive. High humidity balanced with good air circulation with the help of an electric humidifier attached with an oscillating fan and I am all set....oh also a tip I got from another member here: have a saucer with water on the bottom of the pot and when the water is gone it’s time for me to drench the pot under the sink….yet, if over watered the plant might rot from fungus or bacteria infestation=so the saucer is a great help.
As long as its basic needs and culture are met this orchid plant is easy to manage, I give it moderate room temperature for warmth and a normal light source=not too bright and not too shaded. Everything should be just right.
Psychopsis papilio 'alba'
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