Psychopsis Papilio

(Butterfly Orchid)

The Psychopsis Papilio Orchid is native to Central America. It is an extremely beautiful plant that can bloom for many years. As you can see it has an array of colors such as oranges, reds, yellows and even a little bit of purples. The leaves of this plant can reach about 10 inches in length, and the spikes can grow to be 2-3 feet long. One thing I think should be noted is that you should never cut off one of these spikes, unless it is completely dead.

Light

This plant, for the most part, is pretty shade tolerant. It doesn't mind being grown in the shade, but providing a little extra light may help it to bloom if it hasn't already started blooming when it is suppose to be blooming.

Temperature

For the most part these plants prefer to be grown in warm temperatures, nut they can also handle some intermediate temperatures. The optimal growing temps. for the Butterfly Orchid are somwhere in the area of 60-65 degrees Farenheit during the evening and approximately 70-80 degrees Farenheit during the day. These are the preferred temperatures for the Butterfly Orchid during the winter and during the summer they can handle temps. that are a few degrees warmer.

Water

The watering for these plants is needed to be done with clean water. The plants roots need to just finish drying out before you water them again. If the roots are constatnly moist they will begin to rot and kill the plant. They prefer alot of calcium which they are able to retrieve from the trees they grow on in nature. Just like our winter these plant have a period where they rest for awhile. Thus, they don't need as much water or food during this time period.

Fertilizer

A good fertilizer to use for these plants is 20-10-20 Ureafree. It should be added at about 1/2 a teaspoon per gallon. It sholud be fertilized frequently during the summer and not as frequent in the winter. For instance, in the summer fertilize the plant every other time you water the plant, and during the winter fertilize the plant every third time you water (approximately).

 

A related website would be orchids limited

Web page made by Ransom Schutt.

contact info ransom.r.schutt@ndsu.edu