Butterfly orchid

[Jmoney]

I must have asked you before how you grow these, but cultural advice never seems to register until you get one I suppose. They have a famous reputation for being temperamental...

[JOHNnDC]

Ok, I just have to ask, at the risk of being the naysayer here - don't you ever get tired of it being in bloom? Seriously, I must admit that after a few weeks of the same flowers, I'm kind of over it. Which is good, because that's why we have more plants to bloom next!

[Paphraguy]

I must have asked you before how you grow these, but cultural advice never seems to register until you get one I suppose. They have a famous reputation for being temperamental...

I grow both my Psychopsis species and hybrid just like my Paph lowii. Bright light and lots of moisture. I find them very easy growing, actually!

[Paphraguy]

Ok, I just have to ask, at the risk of being the naysayer here - don't you ever get tired of it being in bloom? Seriously, I must admit that after a few weeks of the same flowers, I'm kind of over it. Which is good, because that's why we have more plants to bloom next!

Nope! Unlike the sequential blooming Phrags, the spikes actually do take breaks from flowering in between, especially in the winter and I do enjoy the unusual looking blooms from time to time.

[Paphraguy]

Really? I always assumed it was a Paph! How about that?
Nice pic Pete.

I don't know but I think the slippers came later after the butterfly craze dwindled, then people went crazy over the slippers.

[Jmoney]

what media do you use, and clay or plastic pots?

Sounds like it flowers like Masd. princeps--significant pauses between flowers.

[Paphraguy]

what media do you use, and clay or plastic pots?

Sounds like it flowers like Masd. princeps--significant pauses between flowers.

Regular bark mix in plastic pots with extra holes on the sides and bottom since they are epipyhtes and need lots of air circulation around the root area.

[OrchidTraci]

This hybrid Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildo' FCC/AOS has been in bloom forever! As far as I can remember, the four spikes have been in and out of bloom for over 2 years and still blooming! The blooms are quite large and resemble large butterflies on tall skinny spikes.

I also have the parent species Psychopsis papilio which has also been in bloom with 3 spikes for more than a year but flowers are slightly smaller than the hybrid.

I think those are the neatest orchs! I took Shane to the orchid farm a few weeks ago and one was in bloom. Hiseyes got real big and he said "Mommy, a butterfly got in here!" Then I told him it was a flower and he just said,"WOW!"

Very nice.

[Gilda]

Very nice Peter!
Mine has thrown another spike and is fixing to open another bloom from the old spike..COOL!!! Before it did this, it had a double bloom..strangest looking thing. Looks like it has hair! Attached picture shows this.
I grow mine in clay pots with a peat based mix ..lots of drainage through out, bright light.

[Paphraguy]

Gilda, your blooms look lovely! Sometimes 2 blooms will stay on the spike simultaneously.