Psychopsis papilio also called as The Butterfly Psychopsis.
Synonyms:
Oncidium papilio
Psychopsis papilio var. albiflora
Psychopsis picta
It is a species of the genus Psychopsis. This species was described by Henry Gordon Jones in 1975.
Psychopsis papilio is native to Trinidad, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In Venezuela, the plants can be found in the northern provinces of Carabobo, Lara, Mérida, Miranda and Trujillo, at an altitude of 800-1200 m. This species grows in a relatively high, dense forest in Guatopo at an altitude of 460 m. They are quite widespread, but it is not found in the lower, drier parts of coastal forests.
It is a medium sized, hot to warm growing, epiphytic species, which reaching 19-28 cm in height. The Butterfly Psychopsis produces single flowers from a flower stem of 60 to 120 cm long, and can flower for years if left alone. The flowers are 13-15 cm long and are relatively durable.
Light:
Psychopsis papilio needs a light level of 18000-25000 lux. The plants can tolerate higher levels of light intensity provided that high humidity and intense air movement are ensured.
Temperature:
It is a thermophilic plant. The average temperature of the day in summer is 27°C, the average night is 17-18°C, which gives a daily amplitude of 9-10°C. In winter the average day temperature is 28-29°C, at night around 14°C, which gives a daily difference of 13-15°C.
Humidity:
The Butterfly Psychopsis needs the humidity of 75-80% during active growth.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Psychopsis papilio grow well attached to pieces of tree ferns or cork, as long as we can provide them with high humidity, but during the summer it requires daily watering. In the case of such suspended plants, during the dry and hot periods it may be necessary to water several times a day.
They can also be grow in flat pots or baskets. In this case, they use a substrate quickly draining excess water, which, however, contains substances that retain a certain amount, such as chopped sphagnum moss or perlite. Wood charcoal is also often added to ensure the air permeability of the substrate and to prevent acidification.
Repot, when it is necessary, and only when new roots appear that allow the plant to return to its normal state in the shortest possible time. These plants also grow well in relatively small, coconut lined, 7.5 cm deep wire baskets. Then the basket is filled with a medium consisting of fine and medium tree fern fibers mixed with about 10% pearlite and 10% charcoal.
Watering:
In the period from late spring to early autumn rainfall is moderate to heavy. The cultivated plants should often be watered during active growth, but the plants should dry between watering. Most often this means that during the hot summer days these plants should be watered every 2-3 days. The plants mounted on rootstocks may require daily watering, and during hot dry weather it may be necessary to water several times a day.
Fertilizer:
During the active growth, the plants should be fertilized every week 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids. You can use only sustainable fertilizer or use autumn fertilizer with lower nitrogen content and higher phosphorus, because it improves flowering in the next season and allows new growths to mature before winter.
Rest period:
Over the period of 4 winter months, watering should be reduced in this period, but not eliminated. Psychopsis papilio should dry between watering, but should not be dry for a longer period. In most places, the plants should be watered about every 2 weeks, and water should be delivered during the sunny weather. Occasional morning fogging between watering should provide plants with adequate humidity. In winter, when watering plants is limited, fertilization should also be reduced.