Repotting a Mariposa (Butterfly) Orchid???

[Teachth]

Please remember I am very new to orchids. I have searched the internet for anwers concerning my Butterfly but have read to many conflicting thoughts. I bought a Mariposa Green Valley Orchid. It had one huge bloom on a spike about 3 ft tall. About a week after I got it home, the bloom withered and fell off the spike. The store that I purchased it from told me that something must be wrong that it should have lasted a month or so.

There is a bud that was growing behind the bloom and it is still growing and appears to be doing very well. My concern is that this orchid is in a very small plastic cup (3 inches) and the medium is not anything I can ID. It is very dark, hard, and well, not something that I see with orchids. Should I repot this with something else or just let it go? The medium is so hard that it is difficult to tell when I should water the plant. I was told to water this twice a week, but I am afraid that is too much water. Can you tell I am a little frantic with this orchid.


I read somewhere that this type of orchid can continually bloom for years. If that is the case, how in the world do you repot something like this without shocking the plant?

Thanks for any advice,

Trish

[PaphMadMan]

It sounds like you have a Psychopsis. They like small pots, and they hate being repotted. And they do indeed keep flowering from the same spike for years. Twice a week doesn't seem like too much water in such a small pot. Since you describe the medium as hard it probably doesn't absorb much water at all. It isn't unusual for any orchid to lose a flower prematurely when it is moved to a new environment. As long as the plant looks healthy and the new buds continue to develop I wouldn't worry about repotting until after you have a few months to enjoy the flowers and evaluate how the plant is doing under your care.

[panam]

Hang in there, Trish - now that you have the orchid at home, it will hopefully get really happy and reward you...Let us know how it does!

[Teachth]

Thank you for the reply. You sound extremely knowledgable and have relieved my stress a bit.

[Raver]

Congratz on your psychopsid. They are a beauty! When you water your plant how long does it take for the roots to dry off?
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[Teachth]

Congratz on your psychopsid. They are a beauty! When you water your plant how long does it take for the roots to dry off?
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I am not able to see the roots. I have been using a toothpick to see when to water. I am watering it every four days or so and it appears to be doing okay. Not really sure since I am so new to this.

[gardenguysorchids]

Don't worry about the bloom falling off after having it for a week. it could have been due to the shock of chnaging environments or it could have been time for the bloom to die. Generally these blooms last about 3 weeks so unless you buy it before it opens its days are numbered. As far as repotting goes I would defiantely wait and watch how the plants reacts to it's new surrounding and the loving care that it is now receiving. Every thing I have read suggests repotting only when absolutely needed. I am sure you will do well with your plant.