Should I water or not?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

It's not about believing one side or the other. It's about what we have learned in terms of 'accumulated knowledge' from growers over the years. Accumulated sensible knowledge. One is - adequate aeration of roots - and avoiding water stagnation - is beneficial for root and plant health.

First of all, your 'accumulated knowledge' is vastly less than Fred Clarke's. The fact that you won't tell the internet how many years you've been growing Catasetums is testament to this. Second, adequate aeration of roots is not necessary in this stage of the plant's growth cycle (dormancy), nor is it vital during active growth. I grow Catasetums using the PET method where 1/4 of the plastic bottle (think no air flow) is filled with water and the rest of the pot is jammed with rotting bark and sphagnum.

Originally Posted by SouthPark

In my opinion - all these catasetum health issues (eg. watering too early coming out of dormancy etc) is not due to watering the plant early ----- it's due to unwanted conditions occurring for the plant - such as temperature too cold and/or water stagnation in pot (too wet media) and/or inadequate aeration around roots.

You opinion is generally considered more valuable with considerable experience. Or even a moderate amount of experience. Please gain some experience of your own before proclaiming to the world that you know better than people who have done something for decades.

Originally Posted by SouthPark

I don't measure anyone against their years of growing experience. We are all students of orchid growing, and continue to learn - not just about growing orchids, but anything else in the world. We can share our experiences.

Sharing your experience is vastly different than proclaiming you've upended decades of experience with one or two years of growing.

Originally Posted by SouthPark

I focus on situations that will be or can be harmful to orchids, and apply methods that cut down on issues, or even (if possible) eliminate issues.

Nothing about having the pot above the water, as shown in the photos is harmful to this orchid. At all. In any way shape or form.

Originally Posted by mook1178

There is absolutely nothing wrong with scientifically disagreeing with someone prominent in any field. This is how knowledge is gained. If Darwin didn't buck up against the giants in his field at the time, we may not be as far advanced in evolutionary biology as we.

Darwin came to his understanding of evolution through decades of experience. He was primed to upend the status quo because he knew what he was talking about. He had traveled the world and came to an educated, well considered conclusion. He did not study natural systems for a year or two and then publish his hypothesis.

By the way, I'm not talking about watering the plant during dormancy (which is also not great advice for novice growers). I'm pointing to a) SouthPark's inexperience and b) the completely wrong assertion that having that pot above a glass of water will in any way harm the plant. This is 100% inaccurate and does not come from a place of knowledge.

Catasetinae typically grow with their roots either on rotting wood or within the part of the palm frond that connects to the tree. Water and plant material accumulate here and are very effective at cutting off airflow. SouthPark's comments show a very strong misunderstand of how these species grow in the wild, a misunderstanding of basic Catastum needs, and a misunderstanding what can be harmful to this group of orchids.

Originally Posted by mook1178

I understand wanting to do what the experts say, but if no one ever tried anything different, no new knowledge will be gained.

I agree. However, SouthPark is merely making wild assertions without having the knowledge back it up. Experimenting is one thing. Offering bad advice riddled with biological inaccuracies is something completely different.