Vexing Catasetum Monnierara Millennium Magic 'Witchcraft'

[isurus79]

New growth. By looking at that pot and media, it probably gets too dry, which triggered dormancy. This is the perfect time to repot into something more water retentive. Hopefully the heat and long days of of summer can rush this new growth along before it gets chilly up there. You can either keep it dry until the roots lengthen or keep watering at this time of year.

[MJG]

Originally Posted by isurus79

New growth. By looking at that pot and media, it probably gets too dry, which triggered dormancy. This is the perfect time to repot into something more water retentive. Hopefully the heat and long days of of summer can rush this new growth along before it gets chilly up there. You can either keep it dry until the roots lengthen or keep watering at this time of year.

The potting medium is 50% sphagnum and 50% bark mix. When I soak it, it stays pretty wet for a few days, but not wringing wet.

During its high growing cycle are you supposed keep it WET all of the time? I let it go moist before I soaked it wet again.

Thanks.

---------- Post added at 04:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------

PS: I subscribed to your YouTube channel a couple of days ago after watching all of your videos about the PET method. When I get a little more comfortable with catasetums I intent to try it out.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by MJG

The potting medium is 50% sphagnum and 50% bark mix. When I soak it, it stays pretty wet for a few days, but not wringing wet.

During its high growing cycle are you supposed keep it WET all of the time? I let it go moist before I soaked it wet again.

Thanks.

---------- Post added at 04:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------

PS: I subscribed to your YouTube channel a couple of days ago after reading all of your videos about the PET method. When I get a little more comfortable with catasetums I intent to try it out.

Excellent! Let me know if you ever have questions!

And yes, my plants are permanently soaked from the time they get watered in the spring/summer until the time I back off watering in October-ish! This group has a very different watering and growth cycle compared to most other orchids.

[MJG]

Originally Posted by isurus79

New growth. By looking at that pot and media, it probably gets too dry, which triggered dormancy. This is the perfect time to repot into something more water retentive. Hopefully the heat and long days of of summer can rush this new growth along before it gets chilly up there. You can either keep it dry until the roots lengthen or keep watering at this time of year.

I took your advice and repotted into pure sphagnum in a more water retentive pot (plastic, not the ceramic pot in the pictures). I was able to see the roots and the new little pbulb.

Based on the current state of things, I could use some more input.

Our days have already grown shorter and cooler. I brought this plant inside, set it on a heat mat and put it under a HPS light. Seeing the little pbulb starting, I'm trying to fake it into thinking it's growing season. Is this a good or bad idea?

Here is what the overall plant looks like:



Here are a couple of close-ups of the roots and new little pbulb:





The pseudobulb is putting out roots! Should I treat this like we're heading into spring, especially with the artificial heat and warm bright grow light? How much should I be watering (or not?) now.

Thanks!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by MJG

The pseudobulb is putting out roots! Should I treat this like we're heading into spring, especially with the artificial heat and warm bright grow light? How much should I be watering (or not?) now.

I think that would work! I assume it's kind of chilly up there at this point anyway. You could hold off watering until the new roots are 4" long.

Watch for spider mites! They WILL attack those fresh leaves! I like to nuke mine with harsh chemicals (no prisoners!!) but I know that is not for everyone. In any case, get your preferred miticide ordered and ready for use.

[MJG]

Thanks. It's so nice to have help with this strange orchid. Hopefully by next year I won't be calling it "strange".

Good heads up about the spider mites. I use the big guns on mine too. It's been too long though and I could have gotten complacent now that it's indoors. It's getting nuked tomorrow. 💣

---------- Post added at 09:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 PM ----------

Ok, now I am second-guessing myself about the pot size I used. The pot is big enough to accommodate the current root mass and sphagnum. Should I have overpotted to make way for new roots?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by MJG

The pot is big enough to accommodate the current root mass and sphagnum. Should I have overpotted to make way for new roots?

Nah, I think erring on the side of under potting is better. Remember, you can always give it a larger pot in the spring!

[MJG]

Are we sure that this little growth is a new p'bulb??? Its top point is opening up. It doesn't look like the other p'bulbs. Could this be a flower after all?

Help appreciated as always! Thanks.