Psychopsis is an epiphytic plant of the Orchidaceae family. Until recently, these orchids belonged to the genus Ontsidium, but today they are singled out as an independent group. Psychopsis strikes with surprisingly graceful flowers that soar above the foliage like sun moths. The plant is distributed in the tropical forests of Latin America and on the islands adjacent to it. In our country, you can buy psychopsis in large flower shops. In flower growers, the plant is still rare. The lucky owners of this orchid usually fall in love with psychopsis from the photo and make every effort to get it.
Plant description
Orchid psychopsis is a perennial epiphytic plant. It has long, slightly curly roots, above which a pear-shaped bulb 3-4 cm long is located. The roots are painted white and the bulb's skin has a dark green plain color. In some varieties, the bulbs are slightly wrinkled.
From the base of the bulb 2 oblong or wide-lanceolate leaves bloom. Dense, smooth leaves have a smooth lateral edge and a pointed end. The length of the leaves is 15–20 cm and the width is 5–9 cm. The leaves have a dark green surface covered with small specks and lighter spots.
The flowering period falls on December-February. A peduncle up to 120 cm long blooms from the base of the pseudobulb. It contains one, less often two, flowers up to 8 cm in diameter. Surprisingly, the peduncle does not dry out after the flowers wither. It can persist for many years, gradually releasing new buds.
A closed bud resembles a butterfly pupa, which gradually creeps out of its shelter. The petals are yellow-orange with many orange and terracotta spots. Above are three very long and narrow sepals. Lateral sepals have a more rounded or drop-shaped shape and are adjacent to a wide, fan-shaped lip. In the central part of the brownish lip is a bright yellow spot. Each flower lives 1-2 weeks.
Known Varieties
The genus of psychopsis is rather modest. It contains only 5 species and several hybrid varieties. The most popular among flower growers are the following varieties.
Psychopsis moth or butterfly. On a pseudobulb 3-4 cm high, shallow wrinkles are visible. Two dark green leaves with a marble pattern bloom from its base. A flower stalk 120 cm long carries one bud. Petals and stipules are colored in orange and covered with brown spots. On the central part of the lip is a large bright yellow spot. Flowers of this species are distinguished by larger sizes and rich colors.
Psychopsis krameriana. The plant has flat, oval bulbs 3-5 cm high. A pair of wide lanceolate leaves, densely covered with reddish specks, blooms from the base of the bulb. The length of the leaf plate is 15–20 cm and the width is 5–7 cm. On a smooth peduncle, up to 60 cm long, a single flower with a diameter of 6–8 cm blooms. The petals are painted yellow and covered with red-brown spots.
Psychopsis limminghei. The plant is compact in size. A flattened bulb does not exceed 2 cm in diameter. A pair of oval dark green leaves are covered with small dark dots. The length of the leaf is 3-5 cm, and the width is 2-3 cm. One flower blooms on a peduncle about 10 cm long. Its diameter is 4 cm. In the color of the petals there are yellow, red and brown tones. A lighter, rounded lip is almost spotless.
Psychopsis sanderae. The plant is different in that 2-3 buds bloom simultaneously on the peduncle. The central part of the flower is colored yellow and devoid of spots; they are grouped along the edges of the petals and sepals.
Psychopsis Alba. The variety is distinguished by a more delicate color of the petals. There are no dark, contrasting fragments. The central part of the flower is painted in yellow or sand, and orange spots are located closer to the edges.
Growing and transplanting
Psychopsis propagates vegetatively. Over time, children appear next to the main pseudobulb. When there are at least six of them in the curtain, separation can be made. It is important to completely dry the soil and free the roots from it. With a sharp blade, cut the stem so that in each divide there are 2-3 bulbs. This will increase the plant's chances of survival.
The cut site is abundantly crushed with crushed charcoal and planted in a new pot. Another 6-8 days you can not water the curtain, otherwise the cut may rot. Landing is made in small plastic pots with large drainage holes. Choosing a transparent container is not necessary. Some gardeners plant psychopsis in blocks, and they absolutely do not suffer from this. Planting soil should contain the following components:
- pine bark;
- peat;
- sphagnum moss;
- charcoal.
Plant transplantation is carried out as the rhizome grows. When transplanting, it is important to completely replace the substrate to prevent acidification and decay of the soil. It is important to ensure that the roots do not sprout into the drainage holes. Without moisture, they will quickly dry out.
Care Rules
At home, psychopsis is easy to care for. Many consider it an unpretentious indoor plant. It normally grows in shaded places, in diffused light, as well as in bright sunshine. However, the plant may suffer from midday sunlight on the windowsill. It is necessary to create a shadow or expose the plant to fresh air.
The greatest difficulty for owners may be compliance with the temperature regime. It is important to withstand daily changes. During the day, they keep the orchid at + 18 ... + 25 ° C, and at night they lower the temperature to + 14 ... + 21 ° C. At the same time, higher temperatures contribute to abundant flowering. The flowering process itself requires a lot of vitality, therefore, only adults, stronger plants are allowed to bloom continuously.
Psychopsis is a drought tolerant orchid. Between watering, the substrate must have time to completely dry. Water for irrigation should be soft and warm (+ 30 ... + 40 ° C). Humidity is not particularly significant. It is recommended to periodically wipe the leaves from dust. Spraying for psychosis is undesirable. If drops of water accumulate in the axils of the leaves or on the bulb, the development of fungal diseases is possible. To increase humidity, it is better to use trays with wet pebbles.
From April to October, fertilizer is added to irrigation water every month. It is necessary to use special compositions for orchids. While leaves and peduncles develop, preference is given to preparations with a large amount of nitrogen. Before flowering, they switch to complexes with phosphorus.
Psychopsis is resistant to disease, but with excessive watering, signs of decay may appear on its bulb and leaves. At the initial stage, you can dry the soil and treat the plant with antifungal drugs. In advanced cases, it is rarely possible to save an orchid.
Sometimes succulent leaves are attacked by scale insects, mealybug or spider mites. If parasites are found, it is best to immediately treat the plant with insecticides (Aktara, Karbofos).
