Catasetum weird growth and roots

[DeaC]

Watering is commencing but on my gladiatorum x fimbriatum 2 sets of leaves and roots have appeared very near the top of a 5'' older pbulb. Was last repotted in 2017 and needs it again. Normal? Also a same size pbulb next to it has been bent over near the base and that area is dessicated but the bulb part above it looks healthy. I'm so confused so thanks for any help!

[fishmom]

A pic would help, but if you can pot the p-bulb with it laying along the top, so all the new growths have relatively close access to the potting medium, you may be able to keep them all growing. They just need to all get water and nutrients, so water the whole plant enough to wet down the roots that are further away from the medium. Is there a lower growth at the base of the bulb also?

[isurus79]

Pics are definitely needed

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Pics are definitely needed

TY both for answering. This dinosaur doesn't own a smartphone to send pix. Crazy I know but no need. With that said, I'll just have to rely on the written word of those with much more experience.

[MarinaDC]

I have the same silliness going on with two of mine.

[fishmom]

When that happens to mine, MarinaDC, I try to angle the parent bulb so that both new growths have access to the medium. I know the roots can get really long, but I don't like the top part, near the parent bulb, to be always dry. Since I'm not growing in a greenhouse, my humidity is not real high, around 40-50%.

[Roberta]

Don't even think of repotting now... wait until next winter, when it's dormant and before the new growth starts. They can be quite happy overgrown and with air roots (which of course will need water as it grows.) Remember, one of the places this type of plant grows in nature is on tree branches, so some roots in the air are perfectly normal.

[isurus79]

Ah yes, this is all normal. You've got one half dead bulb with a green top and some growths at the top of other bulbs.

I assume you're growing in spagnum? If so, the media needs to be tossed every other year.

The half dead bulb may try to put out a new growth on the live part. Break it off, pot it up, and keep humidity high.

The new growths at the top of bulbs are annoying, but should grow normally. In the future, you can sink the whole plant into the media so the new growths are at the normal level with the media. You can also tilt the plant sideways so the new growths are just on top of the media.

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Ah yes, this is all normal. You've got one half dead bulb with a green top and some growths at the top of other bulbs.

I assume you're growing in spagnum? If so, the media needs to be tossed every other year.

The half dead bulb may try to put out a new growth on the live part. Break it off, pot it up, and keep humidity high.

The new growths at the top of bulbs are annoying, but should grow normally. In the future, you can sink the whole plant into the media so the new growths are at the normal level with the media. You can also tilt the plant sideways so the new growths are just on top of the media.

Your prediction about the half dead bulb putting out a growth has happened since your last reply. And the 2 growths near top of another pbulb are throwing out roots big time. TY for the heads-up.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by DeaC

Your prediction about the half dead bulb putting out a growth has happened since your last reply. And the 2 growths near top of another pbulb are throwing out roots big time. TY for the heads-up.

You’re welcome! Glad I could help!