Monnierara millenium magic witchcraft -- growth cycle?

[MJG]

Originally Posted by hypostatic

I think once it's started to go into dormancy, there's nothing really that you can do to reverse the course.

Interesting. That would mean that this process started some time ago.

---------- Post added at 01:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 PM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

Most people's houses are a lot cooler than these like, especially at night. That might have initiated leaf drop that showed up later.

My house temperature only drops by a couple of degrees at night, but the high during the day is a pretty steady 72-73.

You all have me thinking....it came from the grower fully leafed out, presumably from a hot greenhouse. I brought it into my chilled home. Maybe this is due to a combination of how far along it was in its cycle already, plus the transition to a cooler environment, that was a perfect setup for dormancy.

---------- Post added at 01:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:13 PM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

And, very important... whenever Catasetinae have unexpected yellow leaves, you need to check for spider mites. Run a tissue you press under the leaves from stem to tip. If you see brown or red streaks it has spider mites. Treat by spraying the whole plant, all surfaces, with 1 tsp / 5ml of liquid dish detergent in 1 quart / liter of water.

I've been checking while it was indoors and saw no signs of spider mites. I did treat a few weeks ago just in case.

Today when I checked it, I found a little web and suspicious silvering on the back of one of the leaves. I just treated it again. Evidently the spider mites wasted no time jumping on board when I moved it outside.

[MJG]

So, do you have to treat these for spider mites all through their dormancy period? Or do the spider mites just go after the leaves?

Thanks for all of your knowledge and help!

[hypostatic]

It sounds like dormancy was probably triggered during the change when the plant came from the hot/wet greenhouse, and into the colder/drier house.

[estación seca]

My house temperature only drops by a couple of degrees at night, but the high during the day is a pretty steady 72-73

That's really too cool in the growing season for this kind of orchid to be at all happy. If you can't grow it outside during the summer, consider growing different orchids in your house - ones that are labeled intermediate to cool.

Almost all Cattleyas, many of the more popular Dendrobiums, many Paphiopedilums and Phals are also marginal at your house temperatures.

[Dorchid]

I was worried about the temps in my tent as well which run 65-77F, night-day...my catasetinae seem to be doing well...maybe MJG can increase the temps around the plant with a heat lamp (ceramic lightless). What would you say the minimum range for happy catasetinae should be?

[estación seca]

One of the first things Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids says about these in his talk is that they love warm summer nights. He said our 85 F / 30C nights are wonderful for them. He said very high summer daytime temperatures are fine if humidity and watering are adequate. My takeaway for a more temperate climate than mine is they probably do better in summer outdoors in central or northern North America, or Europe. For indoor growers, the warmer the better.

Realize our Catasetum plants growing in 3" pots are severely stunted compared to the enormous plants in their hot humid habitat, which have dozens to hundreds of pseudobulbs 2 feet / 55cm long and leaves another 3 feet / 90cm past that.

I don't know whether isurus79 has grown them in the US midwest. Would be interesting to get his take on this.

[Dorchid]

Stunted, no doubt! We have a high of around 30% humidity in my location...I’d love to try them outside but fear it would be too dry and hot. I also enjoy the challenge of growing indoor under lights and trying to provide adequate culture. All that said, I’m still curious if MJG could increase the temp in the immediate vicinity of the plant to help stave off early dormancy or if indeed the temps are the limiting factor in his case. Is it possible this plant was a recent acquisition by the vendor from the Southern Hemisphere?

[MJG]

Originally Posted by Dorchid

All that said, I’m still curious if MJG could increase the temp in the immediate vicinity of the plant to help stave off early dormancy or if indeed the temps are the limiting factor in his case. Is it possible this plant was a recent acquisition by the vendor from the Southern Hemisphere?

I received this plant mid May from Orchids Limited in Minnesota. I believe it was part of their own stock because their website says that with their conditions these grow year round without dormancy periods. Mine was fully leafed in May, so I thought it was from their own nice hot greenhouse. Who knows though. Maybe this particular plant was a recent import.

When it arrived at my house I immediately put it on a warming mat under bright lights with 50% humidity. I didn't have it in a 90 degree greenhouse but thought i could give it a try under these conditions. I'm still suspicious that the CHANGE in conditions might have triggered it. In other words if I were to start it out next year on the heating mat under lights, and then move it outdoors when temps finally rise, maybe it won't go dormant prematurely because there wouldn't be a dip in temps mid growth cycle. I'll give that a try anyway.

Fyi, we are living in the jungle here this week!!! It's 93 degrees outside with a 71% dewpoint. At night it's been dropping into the 70's.

[Dorchid]

Outdoor sounds pretty good!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by MJG

So, do you have to treat these for spider mites all through their dormancy period? Or do the spider mites just go after the leaves?

Those little jerks will go after all parts of the plant! Then they make quick work of the new leaves the next spring.

Originally Posted by estación seca

I don't know whether isurus79 has grown them in the US midwest. Would be interesting to get his take on this.

I haven't grown these guys in the midwest, only Hawaii and Texas. However, this time of year should be ideal for Catasetinae across the whole country!

Originally Posted by MJG

Fyi, we are living in the jungle here this week!!! It's 93 degrees outside with a 71% dewpoint. At night it's been dropping into the 70's.

Now that is Catasetum growing weather! Those conditions sound perfect.