Dark spots on leaves of plant beginning dormancy normal?

[estación seca]

I will reiterate what Roberta said about going to Sunset Valley Orchids to read the cultural information on Catasetinae. I suggest you reread it every change of season, and every time the orchid does something different, until you have it memorized. They require very different care from most orchids. If you put your name on Fred Clarke's mailing list you will get periodic newsletters telling you what to do at the current time of year.

Many people need to place their Catasetums in a dish with standing water during the growing season, or they are unable to water enough. They use so much water that many people need to refill this dish every day.

[TomThumb]

I have the page saved already! I am also considering getting another monnierara to go with this one and I can take care ofthem together. This one actually has an infestation of some sort of bug. Most likely spider mites as the underside of the leaves are covered in tiny bumps. I have it hanging in a separate room so i don't infect my other plants.

Originally Posted by estación seca

I will reiterate what Roberta said about going to Sunset Valley Orchids to read the cultural information on Catasetinae. I suggest you reread it every change of season, and every time the orchid does something different, until you have it memorized. They require very different care from most orchids. If you put your name on Fred Clarke's mailing list you will get periodic newsletters telling you what to do at the current time of year.

Many people need to place their Catasetums in a dish with standing water during the growing season, or they are unable to water enough. They use so much water that many people need to refill this dish every day.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by TomThumb

I have the page saved already! I am also considering getting another monnierara to go with this one and I can take care ofthem together.

Consider some of the other Catasetinae as well - wonderful colors and patterns. Catasetum, Mormodes, Clowesia and combinations thereof. (Monnierara is one of the complex hybrid genera, Fredclarkeara is another) The Sunset Valley Orchids website has lots of photos, you can see what I mean. (It's also a great source for them... Fred Clarke has been doing a lot of hybridizing with this group. The dormant period is a good time for shipping, since the plants don't mind being unwatered in the dark and packages are small)

[TomThumb]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Catasetinae are extremely susceptible to spider mites. I use 70% alcohol spray (rubbing alcohol) on every surface of all leaves, every 2 weeks or so as a preventive. I use it if I find mites on the leaves. Look up spider mites here on Orchid Board in the Pests and Diseases forum.

That's good to know that they are susceptible! I wiped the leaves down the moment i saw the bumps and as a precaution wiped all my other plants. I know one of my vanda seedlings has the same bite marks so I've already wiped them all about a week ago but no harm in being careful.

Originally Posted by Roberta

Consider some of the other Catasetinae as well - wonderful colors and patterns. Catasetum, Mormodes, Clowesia and combinations thereof. (Monnierara is one of the complex hybrid genera, Fredclarkeara is another) The Sunset Valley Orchids website has lots of photos, you can see what I mean. (It's also a great source for them... Fred Clarke has been doing a lot of hybridizing with this group. The dormant period is a good time for shipping, since the plants don't mind being unwatered in the dark and packages are small)

Lol. No need to tell me. I keep looking at orchids online and browsing other orchids with big fat pseudobulbs. I'm considering a clowesia. The other monnierara i want is a lovely peachy color so i think they'll complement each other well.