Pest or Edema?

[Xanadu410]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

xana ----- is it like this? Click Here.

From this site: Click Here.

Yup looks just like that.

---------- Post added at 10:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 AM ----------

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I did a quick search... here's a paper about Cstsm denticulatum. It appears to be one of the Ctsm that you never stop completely watering.

Catasetum denticulatum

There's a section from travaldo's blog, and below it a grower from OrchidForum who gets edema on some of the Ctsm he grows (click on the OrchidForum link to see article).

Maybe your Ctsm falls into that category? Just a thought. Maybe these types are more prone to edema because of the different watering? I'm just guessing based on what I read, but it makes sense.

Interestingly enough this particular plant is a cycnoches hybrid. I do have a primary hybrid of denticulatum though. That was a good read, thanks. Definitely could see how with a dry period and then water all of the sudden could cause this. From a biological stand. No water than an abundance of it. Like how if your tomato plants get quite dry with fruit on them. Then you water, all that moisture all of the sudden will cause some fruit to split from the rapid uptake.

[mook1178]

I have this with my Fdk cross that is big enough to be getting water the last few weeks. I have kept the moss moist to damp. I have moved south for the time being and brought some plants with me. It is warm enough to put this plant outside and there were storms the last 2 nights. These bumps were here before the move but have gotten bigger over the last 2 days. Makes sense to me it is water uptake now. I have never heard of edema before. Thank you

[Xanadu410]

Certainly brings me some comfort to be able to reach out into a community and get feedback. As well as getting more information out into that community.

Originally Posted by mook1178

I have this with my Fdk cross that is big enough to be getting water the last few weeks. I have kept the moss moist to damp. I have moved south for the time being and brought some plants with me. It is warm enough to put this plant outside and there were storms the last 2 nights. These bumps were here before the move but have gotten bigger over the last 2 days. Makes sense to me it is water uptake now. I have never heard of edema before. Thank you

I am not a properly educated botanist. Also new to this group and fairly new to orchids as well. So take any conclusions I draw with a grain of salt.

[mook1178]

I just kinda thought it was natural, nothing to worry about. I never saw it turn color around and didn't seem to affect the leaf in any other manner. So I thought it was just the way they grew. Anyway, I learned something new.

Cheers

[hypostatic]

huh so you CAN overwater ctsms!

[isurus79]

You know, now that there are several examples of edema photos on Catasetum leaves, I have definitely had this happen occasionally to some of my collection. I never paid much attention to it since the plant kept growing without any problems. Thanks for bringing this up! I definitely learned something here!

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I did a quick search... here's a paper about Cstsm denticulatum. It appears to be one of the Ctsm that you never stop completely watering.

Not quite! That article explicitly states to stop watering during dormancy in several places.

This species is considered tricky to grow and many experienced growers can't keep them alive. I remember when I first tried (maybe 12 years ago? I think the thread is buried somewhere on OB), I ended up killing several because I grew them wet during dormancy. When Facebook became the gathering place for orchid growers, I started asking my Brazilian friends how they successfully grew theirs. They all said the same thing: they treat denticulatum just like all the other Catasetums and give them a dry rest. I've had success growing this one ever since and have even gotten female flowers!

[WaterWitchin]

Well Steve, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that one. I've never grown Ctsm, but I know how to research. The TravaldosBlog definitely says at least this particular plant can be watered during dormancy depending on how it's mounted or potted, and the particular climate where grown, etc., and water not made regularly available until the new growth (not roots) is at least two inches tall.

And that's why I said what I said.

Watering:

In its natural habitat it receives rainfall frequently even while dormant. Mounted, basket-grown, and unconventionally potted plant may be watered every sunny day during the growing season, provided conditions are such that they dry off relatively quickly. In the case of conventionally potted adult plants, it should not be necessary to water more than once or, at most, twice a week. This species like to dry out at least slightly between waterings.

and

Rest period:

When the Catasetum denticulatum plants are leafless and no new growths are visible, the grower must respect their state of dormancy. Watering frequency should be reduced during dormancy. Fertilization should stop completely during this period. In the springtime, at the beginning of the growth cycle, water should not be made regularly available for the newly developing roots until the new growth is at least 5 cm tall.

And then again, that all important caveat:

Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Well Steve, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that one. I've never grown Ctsm, but I know how to research. The TravaldosBlog definitely says at least this particular plant can be watered during dormancy depending on how it's mounted or potted, and the particular climate where grown, etc., and water not made regularly available until the new growth (not roots) is at least two inches tall.

And that's why I said what I said.

Watering:

In its natural habitat it receives rainfall frequently even while dormant. Mounted, basket-grown, and unconventionally potted plant may be watered every sunny day during the growing season, provided conditions are such that they dry off relatively quickly. In the case of conventionally potted adult plants, it should not be necessary to water more than once or, at most, twice a week. This species like to dry out at least slightly between waterings.

and

Rest period:

When the Catasetum denticulatum plants are leafless and no new growths are visible, the grower must respect their state of dormancy. Watering frequency should be reduced during dormancy. Fertilization should stop completely during this period. In the springtime, at the beginning of the growth cycle, water should not be made regularly available for the newly developing roots until the new growth is at least 5 cm tall.

And then again, that all important caveat:

Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.

Yep, plenty of conflicting information in that post. Don't forget this at the end:

Standard Catasetum culture. Bright light, intermediate to warm. Plenty of water and fertilizer, while actively growing. No water at all during dormancy

[WaterWitchin]

Different author, Steve. Differing opinion of a grower on orchid forum. Just pointing out not ALL are saying explicitly the same thing.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Different author, Steve. Differing opinion of a grower on orchid forum. Just pointing out not ALL are saying explicitly the same thing.

Ah, I didn't realize those were different authors.