Should I start to water my catasetum Type orchid?

[H.D]

Hi!
I had acquired a catasetum jumbo puff last year, which was just one pseudobulb lol. now it has put out a growth which is big now. it has many roots, and has started to get plump. However, the growth has slowed considerably, and the old pseudobulb is getting very shrivelled. moreover, it is very hot and dry where i live. i do not want to kill it
should i start to water it?
all help is welcome!!!

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by H.D

Hi!
I had acquired a catasetum jumbo puff last year, which was just one pseudobulb lol. now it has put out a growth which is big now. it has many roots, and has started to get plump. However, the growth has slowed considerably, and the old pseudobulb is getting very shrivelled. moreover, it is very hot and dry where i live. i do not want to kill it
should i start to water it?
all help is welcome!!!
Attachment 157983

Attachment 157984

Thanks for coming to the OB. I know Isurus79 will be along, but I'll tell you what I told you on reddit. Leave this plant completely dry until the roots are about 5 inches long. It looks fine. The old growth should be good to support the new for another few weeks.

[Roberta]

There are some roots that look like they're headed down into the medium and likely longer than is obvious. (I'd start watering when roots are 3-4 inches) I can't tell for sure, but if that is the second flush of roots that are showing in the front of the photo, maybe time to start watering lightly. Another week or two of no water won't hurt, but probably a bit of water especially around the edge of the pot won't hurt either. Wait for isurus79 to weigh in, but I think you'd be safe starting to water very lightly. Especially since you also have warmth.

My Jumbo Puff was looking about the same, I started watering about a week ago and it is growing fast enough to notice day over day

[H.D]

Thanks!
Sadly i really don't know how long are the roots. I had read all weird things like wait till the roots fill the ENTIRE POT !!!! but i don't think that is happening anytime soon lol. i think it would be best to wait atleast one more week as roberta says.

---------- Post added at 10:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 PM ----------

Thanks Roberta!
your website is wonderful! i was wondering if you have any schoenorchis varieties? i ordered a scolopendria just today!!!!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by H.D

Thanks Roberta!
your website is wonderful! i was wondering if you have any schoenorchis varieties?

Glad that you enjoyed! I do grow Schoenorchis juncifolia and Schoenorchis gemmata with some success. I have tried some of the smaller species, but they didn't survive... I mostly grow outside (coastal southern California), so the successful ones are those that can tolerate some cold.

[isurus79]

I see plenty of energy left in that back bulb, so I'd wait a few more weeks. The pot looks clear, so can you see any roots in the media?

[H.D]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I see plenty of energy left in that back bulb, so I'd wait a few more weeks. The pot looks clear, so can you see any roots in the media?

ahhh.... okay.
yes, the pot IS clear, but i do not see any roots.
should i wait longer?

[estación seca]

Yes, wait longer. How hot is it there? What is the relative humidity?

[Clawhammer]

I base watering on how shriveled the previous year's p-bulbs are.. When the bulb has lost about half its girth/mass I water. Plenty of juice left in that p-bulb

I find this method easier than trying to figure out how long the roots are in my terra cotta pots. Also, large old p-bulbs can support a new growth with foot long roots before being watered, vs an immature nbs bulb.

[H.D]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Yes, wait longer. How hot is it there? What is the relative humidity?

It is very hot and wil just get hotter from now on . currently the temperatures are 40-43 degree celcius, and the humidity is 40%. but in the coming weeks, the temp will rise to nearly 45-48 degree celcius, and the humidity drops to about 30%.