Catasetum temperature question

[Paul Mc]

I am leaving town for a week and noticed that tomorrow and the next night are supposed to have low temps of 46F and 48 respectively, followed by 51 and then back into the range between 55 and 60 the rest of the time. Do you think they will be alright outside through that, or should I bring them in?

I am assuming for the sake of argument that any orchid that is suggested with a nighttime low of 53 and below would be alright, but 55 as suggested low has me a tad concerned.

Your thoughts?


Paul McMahon
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[kindrag23]

Hmm, I am thinking it would be okay. Especially since they are getting ready to go into their winter sleep, this may just speed the process up a little faster then expected. Mine is in spike and will bloom soon, but has lost all but its last two top leaves. But I will say I am NOT an expert.

Good Growing.

Wow ya'll are already starting to get some cold weather.

[Paul Mc]

LOL... Yeah, we have been seeing lows in the mid 50's to low 60's for the past few weeks! My Phals should bloom like crazy next year! Fingers crossed...

We actually had an extremely mild summer, and most of spring was too cold to take out many of my orchids. Been an odd year.

That's kinda what I am assuming. Unfortunately, I didn't get any spikes this year. It's my first year with them though, so I have a plan to increase light next year and a bit more fertilizing. I don't expect anything this year sadly, lol...


Paul McMahon
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[kindrag23]

Yeah, well I am in your boat this year. Thankfully I have a space at my Nana's house that allows for all my chids to go back there get the sun required along with the temperature drop. Haha, our summer has been better this year than ones in the past have not been seeing 120* degree heat index and A LOT more rain thankfully, tanks have not been going completely dry for as long periods as they have in the past few summers.

good luck with all your babies! Is this the first year with your Catasetums?

[isurus79]

Temps dipping below 50 is a bit low. If you media is bone dry, it might ok for a night or two.

Personally, I'd bring them inside.

[Paul Mc]

Thanks, I really feel I should bring them in so I will. Anything beyond a 5F degree difference just feels a tad too much for me for 3 nights in a row. Maybe one, if dry.

Yeah, I bought them in bloom late last year so this is my first year with them! Despite no blooms, I LOVE them.


Paul McMahon
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[orchidsarefun]

I have brought mine in and the way things are going weather-wise, it would seem permanently. However I was advised to put them outside when day temps are in the upper 60's and then just bring them back in overnight. I have only got 5, so that's do-able.

[euplusia]

In his fantastic book 'The World of Catasetums' Arthur Holst divides the growing requirements for Catasetum species into 4 climatic zones.
The Red Zone is almost year-round evenly hot, moist, tropical. Minimum is 59°F/15°C. It is typical for the vast Amazon River basin and coastal lowlands in Belize, Panama, Venezuela, Brazil. A large number of species originate here including pileatum, imperiale, barbatum, callosum, parguazense, discolor, macrocarpum, maculatum, planiceps, tigrinum, ariquemense, also a lot of Mormodes and Cycnoches.
The Green Zone with high humidity and somewhat cooler temperature, that leads to condensation at night, is also characterized by a short dry season in winter. "Green Zone Catasetums do not appreciate Red Zone heat." Lows can go down to 50°F/10°C. Green Zone species are atratum, cernuum, incurvum, luridum, rodigasianum, tenebrosum, triodon, trulla.
"The Gold Zone is esentially continental. The dry season is long and the humidity is very low throughout much of the year. Days are hot and dry, while nights are fairly cool." It is the climate of Brazil's Central Plateau. "Temperatures in the Gold Zone fluctuate more than in any other zone and range from a maximum 102°F/40°C to a minimum 50°F/10°C. Species include appendiculatum, fimbriatum, fuchsii, juruenense, osculatum, schmidtianum, spitzii, vinaceum.
"The Gray Zone is much like the Gold Zone, but more so.....Most of the moisture results from nighttime dew....Temperatures range from a maximum 102°F/40°C to a minimum 59°F/15°C."
Species include expansum, galeritum, hookeri, naso, sanguineum, pendulum, punctatum, purum. "Growers of these species will not want to reproduce the dry conditions prevailing in the Gray Zone for much of the year, because most plants adapt easily and thrive under much moister conditions."

Temperature tolerance depends on the species and for hybrids on their parentage.
If your plants had a good summer and do not flower in this year, they will make it up for the next year.
And I like your Avatar, Paul. What is it.

[Paul Mc]

Thanks for the information. My avatar is Catasetum Karen Armstrong.


Paul McMahon
Sent via iPhone