Shrinking Psycopsis

[Mehera]

The newest flower on my Psycopsis is about a third smaller than the previous ones. It's in an east window and has been fertilized regularly. Any advice? If this indicates the plant is under stress, should I cut the spike to strengthen the plant?

[Mark V]

I would think the plant isn't using fraction of its strength now, as it did when it was producing the bloom. Now it's loafing in comparison. I'd enjoy the flower. And since it bloomed it must be happy to a certain degree. Maybe you could tweek its culture a bit too see if you can get the blooms bigger next year.

[sake of silence]

Too much light.

[Diane]

I missed this post while traveling... My psychopsis have been pretty consistent in bloom size. Did you check to see if perhaps a new spike is coming up somewhere? Also, did the spike initiate a new bud after this flower faded? Sometimes the last bloom on a spike will be smaller. (Yes, the spikes do eventually stop producing flowers)