Fertilizing Cycd orchid

[Susieq613]

I was at the Tamiami Orchid Show last weekend and bought two new orchid, a cycd Wine Delight Jem and a Monnierara Red Diamond. They are in moss that is dry like a brick. I heard I’m not suppose to water it when it’s not growing. How do I check the roots without disturbing it to see how it’s doing? Can I run water on it to break up the moss? I have Repotme msu fertilizer. Can I use that at 1/4 strength to a gallon instead of slow release pellets which most people seem to use? I also got a Dracula Jester there. Any tips on that I would appreciate. I never had these fancy kind of orchids before, just the cheap Lowes kind. I have them in my bedroom. I live in South Florida, but I’m afraid to put them out with my other orchids.

[Roberta]

First, Welcome!
The two Catasetinae need to be dry, dry, dry. No water, no fertilizer. It's hard to believe that this is what's needed, but that "abuse" is totally necessary. Don't een think of watering at this point... and no worries about the rock-like sphag. Totally normal. Read through the Catasetum Forum and you'll find some great information. Especially look for the videos from isurus79. Also, check out these culture notes from Sunset Valley Orchids. You can get on the SVO email list, you will receive culture notes appropriate to the season (as well as information about very tempting offers, of course... their plants are great)

When it's time to start watering, the plants will tell you - by that time they'll have leaves that are "unrolling", and you'll see the roots emerge though you might have to guess on length if they're growing down into the medium. When the leaves are around 4 inches the roots will be pretty close to that too. You will have a month or two of temptation when the new growth emerges... put your hands in your pockets when you look at the plants, so you can't reach for the watering can.

[KatieM]

Oh that's a fun haul! When I received my Wine Delight it was in a similar situation. As long as the bulb isn't wrinkled I don't water any of those until they come out of dormancy. Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis has tons of experience with them so hopefully he'll see the post and chime in. He's got a great YouTube channel as well. Sunset Valley Orchids is also a fantastic resource.

Dracula orchids are very sensitive to salt residue so I fertilize mine at 1/4 strength once a month, bump up to twice a month when in spike, and flush it very well each time. I'm N FL and leave them out in the 50s but bring them in below that or above 80. They don't like to dry out but don't like to be soggy. I have mine in moss in a pot with slatted sides so they get plenty of ventilation. They stay on my porch which is shaded east facing so dappled light but nothing direct.

[Roberta]

A note on that Dracula - in south Florida, heat is your enemy, not cold. Temperatures down to freezing are fine.
90 deg F summers are less fine (especially since nights will be hot too) You may need to grow it in the house in summer.

[Roberta]

For the Catasetinae, check out this video:
One teaspoon per gallon of fertilizer!
That will also put you into the afore-mentioned YouTube channel.