Languishing Psychopsis?

[ang709]

Our Psychopsis first bloomed in April 2012 and continued to put out several blooms on the same spike for a while after that. However, the last several buds have turned yellow and died. We haven't changed anything as far as culture. Any ideas what the problem is? Could it be it needs repotted in fresh mix? I wonder if the problem could be the 'pot' I have it in? It is a water bottle with the top cut off (this is the only time I've done something like that--I just didn't have any pots that were the right size/shape, so...). Could it be releasing some sort of chemicals? Thanks for any suggestions.

Also, there was no new growth last year. Is that normal for a blooming Psychopsis or not?

Thank you again.

[Cjcorner]

Psychopsis will bloom all year round if they are happy. I put mine in a basket as i've always killed these before. I am watching the sphagnum because it needs to be changed about once a year when it gets sour smelling. You may want to try a different pot and freshen the mix...so far it's worked for mine. They like alot more sun than you would think too. I keep mine with the cattleya. Good luck, they sure are pretty when they bloom. I hope we will see yours in bloom soon...

[Ron-NY]

Angie, if the humidity is low or the temps too cool I have found bud blast is common with these. Mine never bloomed in the winter time with lower temps. I also find that they sulk from repotting. Water bottles should not release any chemicals. Is the drainage sufficient in your home-made pot?

[ang709]

Thanks! Humidity could definitely have been a problem over the winter months. Maybe temps as well. This Psychopsis is growing on a windowsill, right next to the glass. Next winter I will try moving it back since that's probably the coldest part of the sill. Since spring has finally arrived, I wonder what will happen with the next bud?

The 'pot' has a round hole in the middle of the bottom and slats around the sides. I just watered this morning but don't see any water left sitting on the bottom.

Also hoping for a new growth/pseudobulb this year...

[Ron-NY]

New growth should be starting soon now that light levels are increasing and temps warming up

[Phimax]

Mine blooms already 3 years on the same spike Lost a but a couple of weeks ago but now in bloom again with second flower comming up
old picture

Jan

[ang709]

Well, as you can see my original post was from May 2013. Here's my update:
The buds have continued to blast--every single one.
Worse, for the second year in a row, there was no new growth. So the newest pseudobulb is 3yrs old!

So this year I repotted. Not noticing any changes one way or the other so far, but I think it's too soon...

[78Terp]

They are really slow growers. Can be frustrating waiting to get feedback from the plant, good or bad.

Hang in there!

[coeruleo]

in times like this, i like to buy myself another plant, to cheer me up.