I need advice on Catasetums please.

[Cymbaline]

Hi everyone! I purchased my first Catasetum and I have been reading up on them. I read the article at Sunset Valley Orchids about them and a few posts I have found but I don't think my questions are covered.

I currently have three other orchids. A Phal, a Dendrobium phalaenopsis and a Oncidium. They have been doing GREAT since I started keeping them under 50w red/blue grow lights and weakly fertilizing them once a week.

I currently have them in a room where they get eastern sun and they have the grow light above them.

The room they are kept hits about 78 - 80 degrees F during the day and goes down to about 65 - 68 at night.


So Question: I am unable to find any info about temperatures to keep Catasetums. Is there an preference? I'm wondering if 65- 68F at night would be too cold for it?





From what I read Catasetums like to be kept in bright light . According to SunSet Valley Orchids

Quote:
" Light levels: Catasetinae like light levels comparable to Cattleyas at about 2500-4000 foot candles (fc) However, the plants are widely adaptable and do well with light levels as low as 1500 fc and as high as 5000 fc. For optimal growth I suggest a Southern exposure or a location where all the plants will receive plenty of bright, filtered light "

end Quote.


I would prefer to keep my Catasetum in the same room as my other Orchids. So I'm thinking about buying another grow light and putting it on a lower shelf. I found one for about 35 dollars that supposedly will output 5000 fc/lums.

Question again: IF the room I want to keep them is too cold at night. How much sun is enough or too much? I live in central Texas , United States and during the summer it can reach over 100 degrees F. My backyard is South West and I have a back patio.

I could keep it where it gets pretty direct South Sun ( strong ) or not direct South West ( not that strong ) sun. But it will only get 3-4 hours at a time on either side unless I find a spot for it out in the yard so it's not encumbered by my patio .


Thank You!