Velleta, I just got a psychopsis a couple months ago from Kawamoto Orchids and am learning what it likes. So far no spikes or flowers like yours (beautiful!) but it's in a much smaller pot. It has deep green leaves with burgundy spots. I was advised by several on this forum to leave it in the same pot at least until spring. I hope those with more experience will pass along their wisdom.

Thanks vtandrea, I am really excited about it. I did a bit of shearching on the net and it made me scared lol. I know orchids like tight pot and its way overpotted but the net says they hate being repotted so now I don't know what to do. The plant itself looks as if its in spagnum with charcoal packed around it. I do hope someone with experience can advise me what to do thanks again. VELLETA

Yes it should be in a pot that is about 1/2 to 2/3 the size it is now. Repot in spring. Psychopsis need to be kept somewhat dry in winter, watering only to keep the bulbs and leaves from shriveling. Maybe every other week.

Psychopsis flower spikes should never be cut off as they will continually rebloom a few times a year, year after year.

Thanks Toluminamatt, so your suggesting, I water every 14 days? And repot in spring? I live in Jamaica, tropical climate year round. We don't have a winter really so would it still apply with the waterings? The one I got the plant is actually in spagnum moss and charcoal is pack around the spagnum moss but the plant has grown out into the charcoal. I move a few peaces and saw that the roots are spreading out some reaching the edge of the pot. So do I still disturbe it by repotting or what? Lots of questions I know but I just really want this one to live. Thanks for responding. Oh and by the way I order it from a store and the sent me the first pic so I posted that pic before I got the plant, when I sent for the plant I got these two below (smaller pots) so do I still repot them to smaller pots or these are fine. VELLETA

This is the other plant ,different colour. VELLETA

OK, they are fine in those red pots. Psychopsis are native to the Caribbean/northern and portions of South America where winters can be dry. Humid, but dry. Thus, they are not growing and do not require much moisture. When you see new growth in late winter, then resume watering normally.

I agree with all the posts above. I grew them for many years in NY and they were easy. Wait until spring to repot and don't overwater. They will rot quickly (ask how I know). I would repot into a clay pot or even a basket with bark and charcoal. Let your plant get almost totally dry during the winter months before watering again and it should be fine.

Good luck, I love those plants.

Jane

Thanks Jane, I love them too so unsual. So let's see if I get this righ. 1.repot in spring 2. Don't overwater. 3. Bark and charcoal as potting media. 4. Wait until dry to water. Correct? Ok one more question. Could you please tell me how much light. From what I read on the net it says it can be grow in phalaenopsis or cattleya light but that is a really big difference between both light levels so I want a stright answer. Low or high light? Thanks for responding and sorry about all the questions but I have one shot at this and I REALLY want to keep them healthy. VELLETA.

Repot in Spring and don't overwater during winter months. During the growth period you can keep them a bit moist as long as the media drains quickly. I did mix a little sphag in my bark mix but it depends on your growing environment and whether its dry or humid.

I grew mine in higher light than recommended. A bit higher than Phal light but lower than Cattleya light. An East window or outside under a tree would work well.

The biggest problem I had with these plants was fungal. If they are kept too moist or damp, you can have problems. The leaves are also prone to fungal problems if kept damp. Try to keep the leaves dry.

Otherwise, they are easy to grow.

Jane

Ok jane thanks much. Hopefully I can keep them happy, healthy and blooming. VELLETA

Hi guys so my psychopsis are ok so yea me. But now I can't get the orange coloured one to rebloom :( . I keep both of them side by side in a shaded west facing window and from the time of purchase up until now the yellow one has rebloomed twice but the orange one hasn't. They get the same exact treatment with everything and yet it still has not bloomed. Could someone please advise me as to what I am doing wrong. It is just so strange that one is doing so wonderful and the other nothing. I am wondering if one would require more light than the other? Thanks for any sugession offered. VELLETA.

Velleta, when did you buy them, November?

Yes terpguy I bought them in november and one has bloom twice now. VELLETA.

Just give it time. You can't complain about not getting something to bloom until you've already had it for a full growth cycle (a year, give or take). It might be a little smaller than your current bloomer or not at the right point in its growth cycle (current growth that will bear a spike isn't quite mature enough). Who knows. But it's only been 2 months.

Patience grasshopper.

You might be right terpguy, but when I got it it had the sort of purple markings on the leaves and now the leaves are mostly green so I was wondering maybe it needed a bit more light. Anyways thanks for responding and hopefully your right as usual. :). VELLETA

Are your two psychosis different in some way? I know the alba forms are not mottled and the regular are. I just reread your post and don't see where you got two. I don't know if they turn purple or not, so if the mottled normal leaves do, then a little more like to turn it back purple would be advisable.

But if you are growing them side by side, then the light issue is mute and patience is what's missing. I'd be interested to hear janes experience on this.

This post was edited by terpguy on Tue, Jan 21, 14 at 12:47

Terpguy I have an alba and a regular. When I first got them the regular had the sort of purple markings on the leaves but now they are pure green so I was wondering if it was acustom to more light which would prevent it frm flowering. The Alba is the one blooming and putting out two new fans. Also when I look on both of the plant leaves the regular one is much more deep green than the alba. Which is why I thought maybe it needed more light. I hope I am not confusing you. VELLETA.

I always gave them more light than recommended. Just do it gradually. The leaves should have some mottling.

Jane

Jane thanks for respondind, that's what I thought it has a bud but its just sitting there doing nothing. I move it to a spot with a bit more light so I am watching to see if it will inprove. It looks healthy otherwise though. Right now our climate is on the cooler side so we will see what happen. Thanks again. VELLETA