Cutting back a stem on a Catasetum

[Tamilynn]

Might be a real newbie and silly question, but do i cut back the stem of a Catasetum that is done blooming, similar to what I do with a Phal?

[jcec1]

I let mine dry out so the plant can reabsorb any nutrients - I find they go brown pretty quickly and soon wither.

[Tamilynn]

Thanks! First season with them..nervous about dormancy as well. Been reading like crazy!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Tamilynn

Thanks! First season with them..nervous about dormancy as well. Been reading like crazy!

No worries. It's still early for dormancy, but in the next month or two or three, you'll see leaves get brown and eventually fall off. The timing varies with the plant (as with blooming... some bloom early in the cycle, some in the middle, and some wait to bloom until after leaves have already dropped, some may bloom more than once in a season) If the leaves haven't started to go by the end of December, you can push it into dormancy by withholding water anyway. But until then, let the plant tell you what it wants. At this point, keep on watering, perhaps start slowing down on the fertilizer (like half strength at the same frequency as before).