Bloom Watch - Black Pearl

[WaterWitchin]

Still on my first year of growing Catasetum. Question: So when did you put this collar on? After the new growths started up, then became above the regular soil line? And after it goes dormant, you will just repot at the new level? Simple questions, I know, but trying to learn.

---------- Post added at 09:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 AM ----------

PS Being a beginner to growing these, I made a humorous mistake earlier this year. Had one that once it started really growing was above pot level, so I stuck a stake in behind the old growth, then tied a flexible wire tie around the new growth toward the bottom to keep it from falling over.

I looked at it about four months later, and that tie was more than a tad bit tight. I took off the tie, but the bulb had gotten so big it looks like Scarlett O'Hara's waist after her corset was pulled too tight. Now I get to look at that bulb for years and laugh at myself. Who knew it would keep getting so much bigger and fatter for so long?

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Still on my first year of growing Catasetum. Question: So when did you put this collar on? After the new growths started up, then became above the regular soil line? And after it goes dormant, you will just repot at the new level? Simple questions, I know, but trying to learn.

Exactly. The new growths emerged about 1" above the previous year's media and I slipped the collar on when the new growth was very small. I find catasetum roots do not do well if the tops are exposed to air, they always rot, so its best they emerge totally covered by media. They also need this for stability in order to not topple over under the weight of 91 flowers.

I will probably wait to see where the new growth emerges next year before repotting. I could always use a higher collar if I didn't want to repot. However, I suspect the new bulbs will be outside the footprint of the pot for this plant and I will choose a larger pot to accommodate (hopefully 5-6) new bulbs next year.

PS I have done the same, these bulbs grow so fast once they start fattening up.

[tmoney]

dude, seriously, i see all your cats and those huge bulbs and look at our sad little excuses and pout. each of ours had 3 old growths when they came to us, and most are sort of tall skinny pencils compared to these. also, ours are still holding 3 solid greens leaves even though we haven’t been watering. so, how do you guys get these ridiculously phat bulbs? lots of ferts in summer? we gave em as much light as we could (indoors) but only fertilized on the same schedule as our other orchids. should we up the ferts next summer?

not expecting any blooms this year from our poor babies. honestly feeling defeated when we look at pics

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by tmoney

dude, seriously, i see all your cats and those huge bulbs and look at our sad little excuses and pout. each of ours had 3 old growths when they came to us, and most are sort of tall skinny pencils compared to these. also, ours are still holding 3 solid greens leaves even though we haven’t been watering. so, how do you guys get these ridiculously phat bulbs? lots of ferts in summer? we gave em as much light as we could (indoors) but only fertilized on the same schedule as our other orchids. should we up the ferts next summer?

not expecting any blooms this year from our poor babies. honestly feeling defeated when we look at pics

Catasetinae love ferts! I put about a tbsp of time release ferts in each pot at the beginning of the season, water with my 25ppm N water every watering, and still give them an additional full strength fertilization twice a month on top of all that starting mid summer.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by tmoney

not expecting any blooms this year from our poor babies. honestly feeling defeated when we look at pics

Sounds like you'll be getting flowers very soon! With these sorts of plants - they can handle some serious sun. And when their growing activity is in full swing - you can just keep that media nice and moist. And just apply fertiliser as usual. The high lighting level really bumps up the chance of flowering ----- production of flower spikes.

Even if not fully sun-hardened (the leaves) ------ a large plant can casually shrugs off some leaf scorch when transferred to full sun. That is - it might get leaf scorch - but it will just keep growing and keep going.

When I had the bulk of my plants under bright lighting conditions - but shaded from full sun - not much activity with spiking. But ------ when I transferred the bulk of them to full sun --- they all produced flower spikes. There was a very clear pattern. And they can seriously handle full sun. Even quite intense sun.

Also - when the plants are out 'early' ----- as in they get sun-hardened earlier in the season --- they may not even get leaf-scorch at all. And they will very likely flower when provided with a substantial amount of light.