Psychopsis Mariposa "Twin" a new dwarf type

[coeruleo]

just got this yesterday. glad i took pics right away, the flower fell off today. it was overnighted, so i am hopeful the spikes will all survive though. the flowering one already has another bud coming. it has 4 more spikes. it was listed as having 1 to 3 spikes, so i am happy with the 5. it was a bit pricey thanks to the postage, but i have always wanted one of this type, and this one was listed as a 'new dwarf variety' so i got one before they disappeared. i'm not so sure it is all that dwarfy though. the flower is 5" even when dried up, so was probably a bit more than that. the blooming stem is 14 inches tall, so that part i think is shorter than the ones i have seen before, the longest leaf is 7" and the bulbs are maybe 2". it has a new growth coming up too. in a tall style 4" orchid pot with some mossy mix. i am a bit unsure of how much light they really need, psychopsis are noted in some articles to need bright light, and some others say on the shady side. even when they list foot-candles it is contradictory. i have other oncidiums and mule ears doing well, so i will place it near them i think. perhaps shaded a bit by another plant, in the beginning at least. but if anyone can relate how they grow and flower theirs, i'd love to hear about it.

[ksriramkumar]

I agree, the lighting part of the culture for psycopsis is contradictory in many posts. I believe they should do best with bright light but not direct light. lets wait for other members to provide their growing culture.

[chingjervis]

Psychopsis...its making me psychotic now!!! My to-buy list is starting to get longer.

[orchidsal]

Congratulations coeruleo. Wow five spikes is great. Even my 9 year old Psychopsis Mendenhall at the most has had three spikes at once. I'd go with bright indirect light and eventually even some morning direct sun would be just fine. My Psychopsis Mendenhall is in moderate indirect light and does fine there, but my Mariposa's were raised per the vendor up high with the Vandas. If possible maybe you could ask the grower/vendor what light he had your orchid in. I keep my Psychopsis Mariposa's on the moist side definitely.Temperature wise I've never gone below 60 degrees in my green house though years ago they could take 90+ degree heat F. They are neat plants and a little tougher than other orchids I can think of. Enjoy! AL

[catttan]

One of the best looking Psychopsis

[zainal abidin]

Believe me your atmosphere is conducive for this butterfly orchids congrats.

[coeruleo]

update... the tip of the stem that was flowering on arrival had died out, but has now put out a side branch from the top node. the other stems all paused for a while, but are now resuming growing also. one has finally put out its first flower.

this is still in the 4" plastic deep-style orchid pot it came in. recent inspection reveals it is in regular potting soil. a lot of roots around the edge though up against the plastic. not sure how to repot now... but it needs it.

[78Terp]

I think my paph fairrieanum is in at least a soil and bark mix. I have had it almost a year now. Once the current bloom finishes, I think it will be time to move it to my bark mix sans soil.

[coeruleo]

so i recently got a 'full sized' psychopis, a mendenhall 'monarch' and yeah, this is a dwarf variety right here. the plant is a bit smaller, the flowers are roughly half the size and substance of the big one. and the stems are shorter by half too. a tidy little thing in comparison. stays more compact and less gangling stems. if it dries out, the stems stop growing and don't flower. must keep it moist!

[BigSteve]

Very nice.My 2 Psycho's are spiking for the first time & will be a few years before i can hopefully get them multi spiked.
Light wise i keep them in good light , lower than Catt's but more than Phal's.
If you think it needs repotting then do it , better to get it wrong doing the what you think is right then to get it wrong from doing nothing.