I have killed 3 of them so far, thats the extent of my advanced knowledge.

If the mix looks fresh and the plant looks healthy I would not re pot. Most people seem to say they do best mounted but that doesn't work for my conditions. The one I'm currently trying to grow has been in a clay pot with Hydroton ( clay) pellets for about a year now. I plan to drop that pot into a bigger pot when the time comes to avoid disturbing the roots.

If or when you do re pot, I would do it after the new growth has started but before new roots appear. That way any roots that die off will be replaced by new ones quickly.

As for the humidity, there isn't much you can do to change that so you would be better off adjusting your watering habits to match your weather conditions.

I grew them for many years in NY. They were repotted yearly and divided without any sulking. Don't be afraid to repot. I am a firm believer that repotting should be done when an orchid is in active growth. If you time it right, anything can be repotted without problems.

If your plant looks healthy and the mix is good, leave it until Spring and repot then.

They like to be kept damp and not dry out too much. I grew mine in plastic pots. I found clay dried out too quickly for me.They take more sun than is usually advised. Mine grew in a SW window behind my high light orchids.

They are easy orchids to grow and can flower throughout the year.

Jane

Thanks, Jane. You calmed my worries! I tend to repot when my orchids are in active growth also but almost all the websites advised for clay pots so I wasn't sure if that was a "rule" when it comes to Psychopsis. This looks to be a very healthy one judging by the nice spotting and deep green leaf color. I'm assuming the mix is in good condition but can't tell without unpotting it. Will wait until next year.

vtandrea, congratulations on your Psychopsis. I had one for years and finally sold it because it did so well, I got bored with it. Minimal guilt :)

I didn't repot mine for the first 4 years, believing the bit about them hating it. When I finally repotted it, it sent up a 3rd spike. Coincidental, perhaps, but every year after that, I repotted it in about half medium bark mix, half sphag in a plastic pot during April-May here in Minnesota. The Psychopsis thrived.

It went in a plastic pot because, during summer, it would have dried out about every other day in a clay pot. However, the plastic pot went in a clay pot so it wouldn't tip over.

One thing about orchids from Hawaii - Bush snails almost seem to be part of the air there. My strong suggestion is that you get Sluggo and sprinkle the recommended amount of granules on top of the medium until you repot it. After a few waterings, it'll look kinda gross, but it'll keep those nasties from eating root tips, boring into the roots, and possibly/probably killing the plant.

Recently, a commercial grower looked at an orchid I got from a FL vendor, where Bush snails are prominent, too. The local grower pointed out Bush snail damage to the roots and recommended Sluggo - which they don't sell. I found it at Home Depot. It's safe for people and pets.

Enjoy! WhiteCat8

Good info, WC. I'm running into snail problems in Florida. I can't find them but I'm pretty sure that is whats eating the leaves and buds on some of my plants.

Didn't know you could sprinkle it directly on the media.

Jane

Hey Jane,

Fortunately, it seems fairly benign. The active ingredient is iron phosphate. It's "OMRI Listed" - Organic Materials Review Institute. The label says it remains effective after rain or sprinkling, is safe for use around pets and wildlife, and can be used up to and including the day of harvest.

The directions don't mention houseplants or orchids, but for greenhouses, scatter 1/2 teaspoon on the top of the media per 9" pot; reapply after 2 weeks; and don't dump the entire amount in a pile. Maybe something about applying it when the media is wet or damp but no standing water - you'd need to double check that one.

Hope this helps, WC8