First Catasetums

[Dorchid]

Ooh…beauty!

[WaterWitchin]

So I jumped onto the Catasetum bandwagon back in 2020. Got one successful spike in 2021. Last summer 2022 ended up with spider mites that decimated the leaves before I figured out what was happening. (I've never seen spider mites on anything here before.) I moved them outside and treated. Brought back inside once assured they were pest free end of summer. Once leaves were all dead I quit watering and set them aside.

It's now May 2023 and I've seen absolutely nothing starting to grow. Nada. What in the heck am I doing wrong? I still haven't watered.

Probably I should take a picture of my sad bare bulbs just in case. I'll do so shortly.

[isurus79]

Where did you over winter them? Are they getting increasing daylength?

[Roberta]

If the p-bulbs are still firm, patience. Some of mine are at the "water me" stage, some haven't done anything yet. So it depends a whole lot on which hybrids you have.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Where did you over winter them? Are they getting increasing daylength?

In same sunroom where the orchids live. Yes, winter months 11-1/2. Now about 14+

I'll send pictures to Roberta for her to add...

[smweaver]

I have a clowesia that's just now starting to "wake up," so Roberta's advice (in my opinion) is sound: patience! On the other hand, I can tell you that goats are VERY fond of plants from the catasetum alliance.

[isurus79]

Those are pretty desiccated! I'd soak all of them and let them dry. Its very odd to me that none are awake yet. What are the temps like?

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by smweaver

I have a clowesia that's just now starting to "wake up," so Roberta's advice (in my opinion) is sound: patience! On the other hand, I can tell you that goats are VERY fond of plants from the catasetum alliance.

Pack rats eat Catasetinae first, then Cymbidiums, then Dendrobiums. Cattleyas are after that.

Edit: I forgot the Oncidiums. They're after Cymbidiums. Must be something tasty about the tribe Cymbidieae.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by smweaver

I have a clowesia that's just now starting to "wake up," so Roberta's advice (in my opinion) is sound: patience! On the other hand, I can tell you that goats are VERY fond of plants from the catasetum alliance.

My goats are fond of just about anything. But aren't allowed in second floor sunroom where the Catasetum reside.

---------- Post added at 02:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:18 PM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

Pack rats eat Catasetinae first, then Cymbidiums, then Dendrobiums. Cattleyas are after that.

And pack rats aren't allowed in the sunroom either! Only people and standard poodles. The standards are well-trained, and only people who are well trained are allowed admittance.

---------- Post added at 02:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:20 PM ----------

Originally Posted by isurus79

Those are pretty desiccated! I'd soak all of them and let them dry. Its very odd to me that none are awake yet. What are the temps like?

Temps now are around 68 night and mid 70s to mid 80s day. Humidity around 70-75.

Really? Soak them? I thought wasn't supposed to water until they had new growth, 4" roots, etc.?? Now that you say that... after the spider mites last summer, I lost almost every single leaf. Was pretty advanced before I figured it out, and most leaves dried up. Had started a couple of teeny tiny little new growths on two of them right before late fall freeze hit. They were inside by then, but I stopped watering because they were just little nubbins and I didn't want to disrupt the growth pattern. Maybe I stopped watering too soon because they looked pretty dormant.

If you really do mean get them wet and then cease watering again, I'll sure give it a try.

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

..goats are fond of.
..

Goats!!!