Fdk. After Dark

[Mr.Fakename]

Jeff, isurus79 also has a YouTube channel. It's a goldmine and his explanations really helped me get a feeling for this group of plants: Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis - YouTube

[SouthPark]

Roberta is indeed correct regarding temperature and humidity ------- climate/environment.

There are conditions where watering can be detrimental to the orchid's health, and then there are conditions where watering has not only no negative impact on the orchid's health - but can even be beneficial ----- such as for cases where Fred mentions that if bulbs are shrinking or shriveling significantly - then a dash of water could help plump it up again - or even save its life.

Sharing information and experiences to get a better understanding of the growing 'envelope' is a nice thing.

I don't have an urge to water my catasetum orchids when new roots emerge heheh. I just didn't believe that water would stunt/kill emerging roots under any circumstance - for every climate and condition.

But I do believe that relatively cold and wet can be an issue. That is believable and understandable.

[Jeff214]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Sharing information and experiences to get a better understanding of the growing 'envelope' is a nice thing.

Right, I agree. I was more curious how you were making it work and what aspects might inform my growing. That's why I was curious about the fert / water distinction for new growths on catasetums. But to Roberta and Mr. F's point, my environment is different from yours and I'll follow the expert advise (Fred Clarke) before I start playing around with my culture.

Well in any case, I'm excited for the buds on your plant. I've never seen a catasetum bloom in person...yet. Hope yours does soon!

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Jeff214

Well in any case, I'm excited for the buds on your plant. I've never seen a catasetum bloom in person...yet. Hope yours does soon!

Jeff ------ one thing I notice about the catasetum type orchids that developed flower spikes over here ------ is the relatively quick rate of development ------ from start of spike growth to the budding stage. Same sort of quick spike growth as in other orchids (cattleya etc). Oncidium can be an exception though ---- it can take ages for their spike to reach bud and flower opening stage.

Back to catasetum type orchids and your climate. Totally behind following Fred's recommendations. And definitely looking forward to your catasetum type orchids developing flower spikes too! It's going to be great. And also - what you will really like (as well) - guaranteed - is watching the early development of the spike ----- with interesting 'anemone' features, and nice colours too.

[SouthPark]

I caught some starting activity ---- finally hehehe.

The spike with the buds is coming from last season's bulb. And this growing season's bulb is developing something - most likely a flower spike, which is bullet-nose shaped --- and some colour on it. This can be seen somewhere in the middle of the second pic.

Still need to wait and see whether this one develops very dark coloured flowers. I think it is supposed to have very dark coloured flowers. We'll soon find out hehe.

Google drive links (higher res) :

Pic 1 link
Pic 2 link

[Roberta]

Which cultivar is this? Fdk. After Dark 'Black Pearl' is nearly black. Fdk. After Dark 'SVO' is red, with spots. Other cultivars provide other color combinations...Not all cultivars are named. This hybrid is very complex so there's a lot of variation. Fred also remade the cross with different parents - 'Morning After' is green, was made with albanistic versions of the parents. So the mericlones are predictable, the seed crosses not so much.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Which cultivar is this?

Hi Roberta! The person that I bought it from ----- I think he mentioned that it is supposed to have very dark (virtually black-coloured flowers) - and I definitely recall him saying it wasn't a 'SVO Black Pearl'. I assume it's an After Dark capable of producing 'black' (or very dark) coloured flowers, but is not a 'SVO Black Pearl'.

If what the seller said is true, then this one will just be one of those many outcomes from the cross that just so-happen to have quite dark-coloured flowers.

Just keeping an eye on the buds at the moment - just to see if they get darker and darker when getting up toward the opening time. They really do appear to be getting darker. They were reddish and lighter colour in the earlier stages.

The buds in this latest pic are from that spike that was forming in the opening pics.

I won't be disappointed if not dark-coloured though. I love all orchids and their flowers. Will update later! Will see what happens!

[SouthPark]

A few more nice pics showing the buds from the spike from the opening post. And the little flower spike from this season's growth can be seen too if looking closely down at the base of the next door neighbour bulb.

Google drive ilnks (higher res) :

Pic 1 link
Pic 2 link
Pic 3 link

[SouthPark]

I only noticed today more new activity ----- another possible spike nodule ----- spotted on the direct-opposite side of the first nodule. The latest nodule has some reddish-burgundy colour on it too.

Google drive links (higher res) :

Pic 1 link
Pic 2 link

[SouthPark]

One more 'buds' update to come in the next post. Buds are doing ok. Green light. And all systems are go.