Should I water or not?

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by isurus79

You’re belief is incorrect.

The PET method involves putting at least some holes in the exterior pot, right?

Originally Posted by isurus79

The bottle method described by Fred will not promote fungus/bacteria/rot.

I'm saying that it can (and will). But that's ok, since I'm just recommending based on well-known sensible knowledge. The other thing is ------ it's certainly testable.

I had already learned and understood the disadvantage of blocking air pathways too much - combined with moist/wet conditions. So I don't have to test this for myself.

The important thing is ----- if you use a technique, and it works - then great. If something doesn't go well after some time while using that technique, then getting back to the solid basics and foundations can help a lot. This may help to reveal an issue or issues - such as --- did any of the recommended good-growing conditions become lacking or compromised? Usually - it is at least one of recommended growing conditions that got compromised.

Originally Posted by isurus79

This is 100% inaccurate and does not come from a place of knowledge.

That exact jar method set-up seen in the photos of Click Here can easily be tested. I'm totally expecting that we will encounter issues if the orchid pot is left in that state for long enough. I don't think it should be 'tested' though - because that would fall under the category of catasetum abuse --- as in - the expected result won't be good at all.

Originally Posted by isurus79

Again, a more experienced grower wouldn’t have given this type of advice because it’s not correct for this group. His assessment is incorrect. I don’t want people reading this to think Catasetums need tons of airflow around their roots because they read it on OB.

Avoid conjuring details. I didn't write tons of airflow needed. However .... since we have seen photos of catasetum on top of power poles - a ton of airflow could be excellent.

Adequate air flow/aerated water movement ... and adequate aeration to media and roots is my recommendation.

I also find this group of orchids to be very easy to grow in the tropics. My catasetums are growing excellently. They just grow in regular very-good-drainage pots and regular media (inner core of firmly packed spaghnum surrounded by a lining of scoria around base and sides of the spaghnum core; and I grow two catasetum plants in 100% scoria), getting watered each morning, getting nice temperatures and light and air-movement (to leaves, stem, media, and around roots). I don't even touch the pots. I just water the media (occasional fertliser or cal-mag solution) with a garden sprayer nozzle (on wide spray setting) and I avoid soggy/saturated media ----- I concentrate the water spray onto the outer scoria (rim) region that surrounds the spaghnum core. The water still gets to the spaghnum core. I still spray some water into the spaghnum core region though. But for the 100% scoria pots, I can dump as much water as I like in any or all regions of the pot - massively convenient, with excellent growth.

I know that other growers will certainly be able to grow catasetum just as easily and excellently - just by applying the usual orchid-growing recommendations. Just got to watch the mites or provide preventative sprays..... and have assorted usual fungal/bacterial treatments - just in case.

Although... for very cold climate countries... I can understand that more care for catasetums is likely needed.

Originally Posted by isurus79

No one ever said your orchids are dying. Only that you’re offering (bad) advice because you lack a basic understanding of this plant’s biology.

You are right about no-one said my orchids are dying. I was merely conveying to you that my experience is adequate for helping beginner growers avoid a lot of issues, so that their orchids will be in good hands (their own good hands). And I also know very respectfully that the accumulated experience transfers very well into catasetum growing. The regular orchid growing experience of mine is a long time one .... although not necessarily expansive .... but is enough to genuinely assist growers if they need it.

I totally disagree with you about your comment about me offering (bad) advice due to lack of understanding of this plant's biology.

Catasetum roots are still vulnerable to rot (just like other orchids), vulnerable to water stagnation and oxygen starvation when O2 levels become low enough. Also will be exposed to issues if the pot is enclosed too much. Maybe no issue for some time - but then one might wonder why issues are encountered at some later stage. The reason - failure to apply basic golden-rules of orchid growing.

Also - Fred is a great person. His work with catasetum breeding is outstanding - with maybe one of the highlights of his fantastic effort being, as you know - the Fdk. After Dark 'SVO Black Pearl' and related (eg. 'SVO Black Diamond' etc). It is because of SVO Black Pearl that I chose to get into catasetum growing. It was also Fred that gave me good comments about a particular nursery where I purchased a lot of my catasetum from. Disagreeing with 1 or 2 points does not mean I'm against him or dismissing his recommendations.