Should I repot this new Psychopsis orchid?

[Wade Coleman]

I bought a really beautiful Psycopsis about three weeks ago and I’m debating on repotting it. The medium has moss and a few other tiny plants growing on the top, so I’m assuming it’s quite old. It also retains a little more moisture than I’d like it to. The plant, however, looks very nice and healthy with no signs of stress. If I shouldn’t repot now, when would be a good time to do so? Should I wait until I see new growth or just go for it now?

[WhiteRabbit]

I haven't grown Psychopsis, so I don't know about them specifically. Some people like to immediately repot any new orchid. I'm more easy going about it all myself. I don't know if Psychopsis may be fussier about when it's repotting than some other types. So, it looks like spring is a good time to repot them ... If you feel like the plant is ok as is for now, until there's new growth coming, I think that's what I would do. BUT - if someone who has experience with this genus says they aren't bothered being repotted whenever, and you'd rather not wait, go for it!

I'm going to add "Psychopsis" to your thread title in hopes some Psy growers can chime in with their opinions.

[Roberta]

Psychopsis tends to resent having roots disturbed. I think you would be better off leaving it, letting it dry out somewhat. In fact, I have found that the genus tends to like to be on the dry side between waterings. When you see a new growth developing would be a good time to repot. But even then, just shake off what comes off easily and place in new medium, don't try to clean off the stuck-on old medium. You want to disturb those roots as little as possible. When you repot, use good-quality bark with a substantial amount of inorganic (LECA, perlite, pumice, volcanic rock, diatomite, etc) so that you don't have to repot again until it outgrows the pot.

[Brev]

I have this lovely orchid too. I repotted it some months ago as I grew it in sphagnum which started to go bad for some time. Yet I waited till I saw a new growth at the base. I used the mix of medium barks, charcoal chips, perlite and some chopped shag for the repotting. The new growth seems to enjoy the new medium and has grown ever since. So I guess you can repot yours when you notice new growths.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Brev

I have this lovely orchid too. I repotted it some months ago as I grew it in sphagnum which started to go bad for some time. Yet I waited till I saw a new growth at the base. I used the mix of medium barks, charcoal chips, perlite and some chopped shag for the repotting. The new growth seems to enjoy the new medium and has grown ever since. So I guess you can repot yours when you notice new growths.

This is an old thread... I can't tell what type your orchid is, but it is certainly not a Psychopsis. Different orchids have different needs. Yours looks a bit like a Paph, perhaps... if so, they like to be moist, small bark or perhaps sphagnum. Psychopsis, however, need to be drier, and really hate repotting so a long lasting, fast-draining medium is important tor those.

[Brev]

Originally Posted by Roberta

This is an old thread... I can't tell what type your orchid is, but it is certainly not a Psychopsis. Different orchids have different needs. Yours looks a bit like a Paph, perhaps... if so, they like to be moist, small bark or perhaps sphagnum. Psychopsis, however, need to be drier, and really hate repotting so a long lasting, fast-draining medium is important tor those.

mine is a Psychopsis
i am not sure how you can be so sure, maybe the lack of pattern on the leaves misleads you to thinking mine is paph (and that's the reason why i picked this one up, as i thought this one might be special). anyway, i agree that Psychopsis needs fast draining material, the current mix i use seems to have achieved this. i have to water it twice a week, in particular it is growing new shoot, while not running the risk to rot the new growth due to retained moisture. and well, above all, choose the one way you feel comfortable. and Merry Christmas