Catasetum 'Fredclarkarea SVO Black Pearl': Two canes with different stage of growth.

[Aedrich]

Originally Posted by isurus79

To me this plant is leaning towards dormancy, but not quite there yet. Slowly drying it out will help its growth cycle get back on track.

I think you can repot this in the spring too. The media looks good (i.e. not spoiled), but its packed too loosely. I'd cram it in there when you repot. Tight moss holds less water than loose moss and tends to last longer. Loose moss quickly turns into a soggy, algae infested mess.

That was what I was thinking as well. However, I am new to this and I just want confirmation. I will gradually reduce the volume as well as the frequency of watering until all the leaves have fallen off.

Hopefully by January it will be completely dormant. In your own oppinion given the size of this plant... will it produce a flower spike this cycle or not?

---------- Post added at 10:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

For a good reference on this group of orchids, check out Sunset Valley Orchids - Catesetinae Culture Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids knows at least as much about Catasetinae as anybody on the plant (the genus Fredclarkeara is named for him, he did the first breeding to create the genus) I have also posted some notes from his newsletters on this forum - search for "Fred Clarke".

---------- Post added at 11:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:00 AM ----------



See above references

I have read his notes actually. 😊

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Aedrich

In your own oppinion given the size of this plant... will it produce a flower spike this cycle or not?

It's certainly possible you'll get a spike. However, my guess is no spike. The newest growth is smaller than the last one so I think the plant is stressed with the new growing conditions. If you can get this one to crank out a big fat bulb in 2019, it'll definitely bloom next time.

[Aedrich]

Originally Posted by isurus79

It's certainly possible you'll get a spike. However, my guess is no spike. The newest growth is smaller than the last one so I think the plant is stressed with the new growing conditions. If you can get this one to crank out a big fat bulb in 2019, it'll definitely bloom next time.

Thank you for your help 😊. I wouldnt be able to manage without your advice. I have tranfered the plant to another pot by the way. The one it came with has only one small drainage hole. Upon ripping that "pot" I found the media very moist. Luckily I have noticed this...if not I would have had a nasty rot. I think the set up wasnt designed for dormancy since the amount of drainage hole was ridiculous. Now with air following, In hope that the media dries evenly and this might hasten the dormancy period

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Aedrich

I have tranfered the plant to another pot by the way. The one it came with has only one small drainage hole. Upon ripping that "pot" I found the media very moist. Luckily I have noticed this...if not I would have had a nasty rot.

Each grower has their own method(s) for getting water into their plants. Once they have chosen a suitable media or mix and pot type (even considering drainage), it often comes down to the grower knowing how much water to add and when to add it. This could just be due to experience. If the previous owner was growing the plant reasonably well in that same pot, then it can mean that they had more or less the right balance, or a good balance. It's just that when the plant gets transferred to the new owner, there can be issues, especially if it's an inexperienced grower. All part of the learning experience. We can also get lots of beneficial help from the advice of sellers, orchid society members, and internet (forums and online videos).

Your idea of checking things out before an issue (like drowning or waterlogging) arises -- was a good one.

[OrchidBro]

I got this baby FDK. After Dark 'SVO Black Pearl' FCC/AOS earlier this year as well. I believe it has started to go into dormancy, finally, as all but one leaf remains. However, when looking at it today it had this tiny little growth starting on the pbulb. Does anybody have any idea of what it might be?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by OrchidBro

I got this baby FDK. After Dark 'SVO Black Pearl' FCC/AOS earlier this year as well. I believe it has started to go into dormancy, finally, as all but one leaf remains. However, when looking at it today it had this tiny little growth starting on the pbulb. Does anybody have any idea of what it might be?

Too early to tell what it will be. The plant looks too small to flower, but the placement looks correct for a spike.

If you held a gun to my head and said pick one, I'd guess a new growth high up on the p-bulb.

[OrchidBro]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Too early to tell what it will be. The plant looks too small to flower, but the placement looks correct for a spike.

Yes, I thought it was too small/young to flower as well

Originally Posted by isurus79

If you held a gun to my head and said pick one, I'd guess a new growth high up on the p-bulb.

I would never hold a gun to anybody's head, that is just wrong. Seems like an odd placement for a new growth but I haven't been growing Catasetums that long to know. Also seemed weird for the old pbulb to start dormancy and yet start growing something else.

[Aedrich]

Originally Posted by isurus79

It's certainly possible you'll get a spike. However, my guess is no spike. The newest growth is smaller than the last one so I think the plant is stressed with the new growing conditions. If you can get this one to crank out a big fat bulb in 2019, it'll definitely bloom next time.

I have noticed this little nodule on my plant. Is it a flower spike?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Aedrich

I have noticed this little nodule on my plant. Is it a flower spike?

That can turn into a growth or a spike. No way to know for sure until it starts growing and gets bigger.

[Aedrich]

Originally Posted by isurus79

That can turn into a growth or a spike. No way to know for sure until it starts growing and gets bigger.

Either way... I am so 😍😍😍😍