Thinking ahead for early spring temps

[mook1178]

I have been browsing catasetinae photos all day in differing social media groups. I have noticed most are bigger than mine and I put that up to mine being seedlings. Then I was looking at SVO facebook page. I saw the Ctsm calloum x Ctsm tenebrosum cross that I have. The flower pic was posted on May 30. I also saw others posted in the comments the next few days.

My 2 plants seem to be way behind. One lost the bloom spike due to a slug, but this is the smaller plant of my 2. The larger plant I am expecting to bloom by the end of June. I started to wonder if it is due to the temps in my house during the early spring. I keep my house in the mid to upper 60's when the heat is on, which it usually stays on through March and April can be hit or miss. So my catasetinae are probably too cool at that time of year while the new growth develops.

Will I be able to use a heating pad with the plants sitting on top or would a temporary terrarium setup be that much better to be worth the hassle?

[hypostatic]

IMO too much hassle and not worth it. I'm a bit farther north than you in NJ, and the ctsm that I've been growing up here myself are also "stunted" compared to the pictures of similar plants grown down south. At the moment they're outside, which is in the 80s, so that's plenty warm. I think mostly this just shifts then they bloom and go dormant some weeks back.

[estación seca]

Catasetinae are mostly hot growing orchids, and they especially appreciate warm summer nights. They're dormant in the winter, so temperatures don't matter too much, but they won't grow until it starts warming up.

Also they need huge amounts of water to get big growths. A lot of people stand them in dishes of water, or grow in deep containers with water reservoirs at the bottom.

[mook1178]

Hypostatic-i think you're right. Never really looked at it like that. I might try some on a heating pad next spring just to see if there is any difference.

ES-mine are grown outside in the summer with plenty warm enough temps. I'm just wondering if I can get them a bit warmer, like in the mid 70s in March and April, will that make a difference.

[isurus79]

I don't think comparing your plants to those at SVO is a good idea! You'll never be satisfied!! lol

This group loves the heat. I'd say hold off on buying a heating mat until you've seen how your plants hold up this growing season. Being up north means the seasonal ques for growing will be later than those in the south. You might have amazing growth over the next three months with the longer days that us folks downs south don't get and then everyone's plants are equally amazing by October.

That said, I don't think a heating mat would hurt anything. Might be worth an experiment.

[mook1178]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I don't think comparing your plants to those at SVO is a good idea! You'll never be satisfied!! lol

So true.

I think since I have 2 of the same cross, I might try a heating pad one of the plants and compare.

Who know? If I can get them bigger in the early spring, then with the long days of summer I can have some very nice displays in the fall. Just another reason to get this year over with. LOL

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by mook1178

Just another reason to get this year over with.

Just add it to the growing list of reasons that 2020 needs to be over!!