Let’s talk about Ctsm. denticulatum

[SaraJean]

I have a bone to pick with this plant and I am in desperate need of some growing tips.

I picked up a Catasetum denticulatum from SVO back in 2018. It bloomed 4 times that first year and grew well. Pretty sure Fred & Co. are 100% responsible for that because since then I have struggled to grow it and have never rebloomed it. It has never followed any sort of normal dormancy or growing pattern. The first time it went dormant, it stayed dormant for almost a full year. Since then, it has put out weak little growths year round at random intervals- usually mid to late summer, fall, and early winter. Sometimes they make it, sometimes they don’t. The growths are almost always weak though. It makes the timing for repotting and watering very confusing… I just try to watch it and see what it needs, not trying to force dormancy or anything. I put it under lights this past winter to help along one of the late season growths which just finished maturing. Got these two new growths in late June, a good 4 months after all of my other Catasetums woke up.

Conditions:
Spring, summer, fall: I keep this along side all of my other Catasetinae for the growing season. Warm-hot, bright, and humid. Lots of rain and fertilizer starting towards the end of May.
Winter care: I have read that this species likes it warmer and more humid in the winters so it stays on a very bright windowsill, this past winter under bright LEDs, warm, typically between 78°f-65°f, humidity is never less than 55%, there is usually something still growing on it (albeit slowly) so it’s still getting water and fert- just not as frequently as I would if it were mid summer when things are growing faster.

What are your experiences with this species? Any tips or issues? Most of my Catasetums are no brainers for me, grow like mad in my climate and under my care, and I typically don’t have dormancy issues (Mormodes not withstanding, I tend to rot those at any time of the year). So what’s going on with my little denticulatum? Is it really that different in care needs?

[isurus79]

This is the most difficult of all the Catasetums to grow. I haven't mastered it and honestly, I don't think most Americans have either. If I recall, Fred Clarke had a tough time with them too. Since he sells them, he must have figured something out!

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by isurus79

This is the most difficult of all the Catasetums to grow. I haven't mastered it and honestly, I don't think most Americans have either. If I recall, Fred Clarke had a tough time with them too. Since he sells them, he must have figured something out!

Lovely. And that was the first Catasetum species I decided to try. Serves me right, lol. I have gotten a couple of other species since then (and more form this new SVO release) but non of them have given me issues like the denticulatum. Wonder what’s so different about it? And what sort of problems have you encountered with yours?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by SaraJean

Lovely. And that was the first Catasetum species I decided to try. Serves me right, lol. I have gotten a couple of other species since then (and more form this new SVO release) but non of them have given me issues like the denticulatum. Wonder what’s so different about it? And what sort of problems have you encountered with yours?

Their hybrids are super easy to grow!

I've found that they wake up really late from dormancy but they're from a fairly wet part of Brazil (Rondonia State area) and into Bolivia. They just seem to die sometimes. I've got a theory that this one might want to stay wetter during dormancy than a lot of other species, but I haven't been able to test that theory out or pick the brain of someone who is really successful with them in the USA. The Brazilians all tell me they treat this species just like the others, which isn't super helpful lol

[estación seca]

It looks like the climate is hot and humid all year. There are strong seasonal rainfall differences but a little rain even in winter.

Climate Rondonia: Temperature, climate graph, Climate table for Rondonia - Climate-Data.org

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Their hybrids are super easy to grow!

That they are! I think that was part of my thought process when I picked up this species. Some of my first Catasetums were denticulatum hybrids. Figured since those were so darn easy, the species couldn’t be too terrible. Should have known better, lol

Originally Posted by isurus79

I've got a theory that this one might want to stay wetter during dormancy than a lot of other species,

Originally Posted by estación seca

It looks like the climate is hot and humid all year. There are strong seasonal rainfall differences but a little rain even in winter.

Might be why mines not deaddead yet? The past two winters, I don’t let it go bone dry for more than a day or so. There is always a tiny break between the late season growth (which usually starts losing leaves in March-ish) and the first growths of the year (June-July), it will still get watered regularly during that time. No clue. Might actually try putting this one on a heat mat over the winter. I wouldn’t think 65°f would be too cold, but that area might be getting more cold than I realize especially when the moss in the pot is damp

[isurus79]

I think you might be right. To be honest, the photo of your plants looks pretty darn good in terms of health! I think you’re doing well with your plant.