What time of year can I expect this Catasetum hybrid to bloom?

[camille1585]

2 years ago I bought my first orchids from the Catasetinae, one being an SVO cross called Clowesia Rebecca Northen x Catasetum Melana Davison.

I didn't get any spikes last year, probably because the plant was still young. This year it has two very fat and happy new growths, so I would expect them to be blooming size. The question is, when is that? The Clowesia parent would be expected to bloom late winter, while Melana Davison seems to be more of a summer bloomer. What can I expect from this cross? If it's also a summer bloomer, looks like I'll have to wait another year.

[Roberta]

I think it's a "wait and see". For me, Clowesia Rebecca Northen blooms really early, like February (before the new leaves), and my Ctsm. Melana Davisonhasn't even thought about spiking yet (in the past has bloomed in late July or sometimes in August - once, in November) But my summer was unusually cool, lots of things are running very late. So don't give up on it yet for this year... still possible.

[camille1585]

I was afraid of that answer! I won't give up hope just yet. The plant takes up so much space in the growing season that I'd love to be rewarded with some flowers.

[Roberta]

Frustrating! I grow them outside as soon as the night temps are about 55 deg F (13 deg C). I usually have to bring them into the GH before they lose many leaves, but shortly thereafter they are in their 'compact" form. One thought... these things are really hungry when they're growing. This year, I was on vacation in late June, when they were rapidly growing, so I couldn't give them their extra doses of fertilizer... I put a bit of time-release fertilizer in each pot, and they are growing better than they ever have. Have had some flower, more to come, but some of them do just leaves. <sigh>

[camille1585]

I put some time release fertiliser this year as well. I was on vacation 3 weeks, and didn't want to tell my plant sitter (who took it home with her since it's a water hog) to add fertiliser each time. I'm hopeful that I fed it enough, it's potted in 50% composted horse manure, top dressing of time release, and some fertiliser in the water. The growth I got this year was stunning.
I had to bring them in last week, the night temps are dipping below 10C now.

[Subrosa]

The manure method is the way to go imo. I keep my Fdk Enter Light (which is in a 12" pot) in a shallow tray that holds 2"-3" of water once it's really growing strongly. I keep it in until the leaves star to yellow, then start letting it dry out in preparation for dormancy.