Got my Catasetum today, now what? - Orchid Board

estación seca · #16 02-28-2021, 12:19 PM

In habitat these get a fall-winter-spring dry season very much longer than the summer monsoon growing season. There are often 9 months with no rain. The humidity is lower at this time, often very much lower than during the rainy season. Misting the plant while dormant is giving it exactly what it does not get in habitat.

The plants have evolved to survive through this climate. It is what they expect of you. Pseudobulbs may shrivel drastically during the long dry season. The plants, perhaps in response to rising ambient humidity as the monsoon approaches, grow out to great lengths so the plant will be able to absorb the rain once it arrives. When rain comes the leafless pseudobulbs plump up again and the new shoot grows even faster.

I've seen what was either a Clowesia or a Mormodes species in the central plateau of Mexico in mid November. This was a desert area where Brahea palms grew on a huge flat inclined rock slab covering dozens of acres. The orchids were growing just under the crowns of the palms, so they had a little protection from the sun; they were leafless, and old flower stalks bore seed pods. There had been no rain since early September. The relative humidity probably was under 10%. It would not rain again until May. There is no winter dew in that desert.

Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids grows in greenhouses in Vista, California, inland over the coastal range from northern San Diego County. The climate is much hotter and drier than the coastal climate due to the mountains blocking the marine influence. It is already getting hot there by New Jersey standards - go to a weather site today and check Vista. He usually doesn't give any water to the Catasetums until around Memorial Day, the last Monday in May. It takes that long for the roots to grow to the proper length.

People here have reported success watering early. I have watched many members of our orchid society water early and lose their plants. I agree it is tempting to water when you see new roots growing. About half of my plants are beginning new shoots now, but I have no root growth yet.

In areas where temperatures never drop below about 55 F / 14C, like Hawaii, people do water them all year and they grow successfully. But those kinds of areas have warmer winters and more winter sun than most of the US.

My observation has been that people who are unable to walk past their cat or dog without stuffing treats into it are unable to grow Catasetums because they can't stop watering.