psychopsis with long spike--can i cut it??

elvinwei

16 years ago

i am aware that psychopsis bloom from the same spike, so, i am not supposed to cut it, right?

but the thing is, the spike is getting SO LONG now, it is so long that it is hard to manage anymore

i want to cut it, but if i do, will it take a long time for it to send up a new spike??

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Comments (4)

mrbreeze
16 years ago
Ummm....I think the answer is "yes" to all the questions.

Yes you can cut it. Yes it will take a long time to grow a new one. Yes you're not "supposed" to cut it.

Why don't you stake it up? Or, just cut off half of it?
-MB
elvinwei
Original Author
16 years ago
i can do that? just cut half? will it bloom from there on?
it is on a stake. you dont understand, the spike is over 2 feet long already, i do not know how much longer it will get!!
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Take heart, these can be very rewarding when they get well established. I've actually had more than one spike from one pseudobulb, though more often than not, it throws a new spike from a newly matured or maturing pseudobulb. I have had branches come from pretty low in the spike, so that 6-node one might surprise you yet. Keep it in that slightly higher light, and try to warm up the days a bit. Good growing! Julie P.S. I grow mine inside year-round, in a southeast window. Over the last 3 years, it has put out two new pseudobulbs per year, taking about 4 months to mature them, and throwing out a spike just before full maturity, if not at maturity of the pseudobulb. It is getting night temps in the high 50s, with day temps in the high 70s. I do let it get quite a bit drier in the winter than in the summer. And this is a plant that really does sulk after repotting, so try to avoid that unless it's strictly necessary.
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I got mine in the spring of this year and it had 1 spike with a flower. after it dropped the flower i repotted it in small rockwool cubes and charcoal lumps in a clay pot. it has reflowered ( can't remember if it is once or twice) the flower has dropped and a new one is forming and i can see the beginnings of another one waiting (in the wings, so to speak). it is in a south window but because of the balcony upstairs, it is not getting any direct sun. and i am not using any supplementary lighting and no added humidity. the A/C comes on if the house temp. goes higher than 77F or if I have guests, then the temp is set at 71F: there is some fluctuation in temperature but it doesn't seem to worry it much. i water it every 5 to 7 days and feed it with seaweed at most waterings. I am so amazed that we all grow it so differently and for the most part it seems to adapt so well to our varied conditions. because it seems to like where i have put it i don't think i will put it outside. it has a new 'bulb and the new leaves are larger than the old ones. good luck - they seems to be adaptable and like to flower. sue
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mrbreeze
16 years ago
Oh...I understand. One of my Psychs has two or three spikes longer than that. They flop around and grow into the lights and burn themselves to death. After yours has been in bloom for a couple years you won't worry as much about the spikes. But yea, you could cut it pretty much anywhere and as long as there is a node below the cut, it will grow a new spike from the node. However that new one will just keep growing as well....so in the long run you are doomed.

My suggestion? Grow Angs instead of Psychopsis! They don't have such long spikes. Ok some do, but that's not important right now. For what it's worth, I think the psych spikes grow toward the light so if you use really intense light, they MIGHT be a bit more stunted. Have fun! Please enjoy Angs responsibly.
-MB
elvinwei
Original Author
16 years ago
yeah, the flowers are growing into the lgihts and yeah it is a problem now.

you are right, "duh" i can just cut it somewhere in the middle and let it grow from there

hahaha, you are a real die-hard Angs fan, perhaps you will convince me one day

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psychopsis with long spike--can i cut it??

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psychopsis with long spike--can i cut it??

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