Fredclarkeara after dark dormancy and growth issues

[Shadeflower]

can't add anything to this. Doesn't look strong enough, Dropping it won/'t have effected it much.

I don't grow catasetums to be able to advise anyway, I have methods to try to strengthen orchids but if one isn't allowed to water these then my remedies would not be allowed.

It does interest me but not enough to get a Catasetum to grow myself. I thought they were easy but this situation looks far from that

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

Dropping it won/'t have effected it much.

Dropping it adds stress to a plant that is barely hanging on. Therefore, dropping will have major effects to this plant.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

Can't add anything to this. Doesn't look strong enough, Dropping it won/'t have effected it much.

Totally agree about dropping ----- wouldn't have affected it much. Catasetums are pretty darn tough. They can handle it.

[Leareu]

Hey guys! Some good news, I just found out it made a new growth today (or perhaps it had been making it for some time and I just didn't notice it?). Is there any chances of this growth making it?




The bad news (or maybe good news?) is that in my sad state after figuring my catasetum might die, I bought another fredclarkeara and well, I don't think I'm doing it right. I did email the seller beforehand about if it was time to water and she said that I could regularly water and fertilize. However I realized as soon as I got it that there was a bruise forming (from transport unfortunately) and that recently a few of the new roots starting to form died (that little black thing at the base was unfortunately a root ). I'm just confused, should I hold back on the watering till more roots grow? I was waiting till the top roots were dry/white but maybe I shouldn't have. Any help would be appreciated!

[SouthPark]

That is good news. About the new growth.

Now ----- regarding watering. I know for a fact that --- at least for Fdk. plants ----- as long as the temperature is nice --- relatively warm, and not 'cold' ----- then keeping the media moist ---- as you are doing right now ----- is absolutely fine.

Issues just generally arise if the temperature is like winter cold ----- such as NZ winter cold. That is cold plus wet can be problematic when the orchid is developing new roots.

But right now - NZ should be fine maybe. And also - not enough gentle air-movement in a growing area can lead to issues too. Eg. still-air environments can be an issue. So if you have good temperature etc ------ then it will be just fine.

Fdk plants are really tough in tropical conditions. I know they're pretty much indestructible in the tropics here - that's if we help the plant to defend against the nasty spider-mites.

[isurus79]

On the old plant, I hope it springs back! Is the new growth about halfway up the bulb?

On the new plant, I would keep it dry for a month or so in order to give the new roots time to stretch out and look for water. Here's a care guide that might come in handy: Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts

What is the media they're growing in?

[Leareu]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

That is good news. About the new growth.

Now ----- regarding watering. I know for a fact that --- at least for Fdk. plants ----- as long as the temperature is nice --- relatively warm, and not 'cold' ----- then keeping the media moist ---- as you are doing right now ----- is absolutely fine.

Issues just generally arise if the temperature is like winter cold ----- such as NZ winter cold. That is cold plus wet can be problematic when the orchid is developing new roots.

But right now - NZ should be fine maybe. And also - not enough gentle air-movement in a growing area can lead to issues too. Eg. still-air environments can be an issue. So if you have good temperature etc ------ then it will be just fine.

Fdk plants are really tough in tropical conditions. I know they're pretty much indestructible in the tropics here - that's if we help the plant to defend against the nasty spider-mites.

I keep it in my display cabinet with fans on 24/7 on a heat mat, so hopefully it's enough to keep it happy!

Speaking of spider mites though, I found some on some of my bonsai earlier yesterday! A travesty!

Originally Posted by isurus79

On the old plant, I hope it springs back! Is the new growth about halfway up the bulb?

On the new plant, I would keep it dry for a month or so in order to give the new roots time to stretch out and look for water. Here's a care guide that might come in handy: Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts

What is the media they're growing in?

Yep! it is, I'm kinda worried about whether I should repot it or something since it's kinda high up above the medium.


Okay, will keep it dry for a month then! I'll be looking into that guide today too!

When the plant arrived, a bunch of the bark had fallen out, so I put some fern fibre in it since it was all I had on me. It's basically a top layer fern fibre with the middle and bottom being just bark I think.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Leareu

Yep! it is, I'm kinda worried about whether I should repot it or something since it's kinda high up above the medium.

When the roots start to pop out, you can pull the plant out of the pot and place it sideways so the new growth is close to the media. Be sure to secure the plant in the pot so it doesn't wiggle.

Originally Posted by Leareu

When the plant arrived, a bunch of the bark had fallen out, so I put some fern fibre in it since it was all I had on me. It's basically a top layer fern fibre with the middle and bottom being just bark I think.

Ah, interesting! I haven't seen fern fiber in a long time!

[Leareu]

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I made this post so I figured I'd give an update!

Unfortunately, the kelly longley died (well, it was probably already on it's way out but the shelf falling on it probably didn't help)

But thankfully I can give updates on the FDK after dark NOID and SVO Black Pearl!

The Fdk. noid is doing great! The new pseudobulb is about 15-16cm tall and gorgeous (although haven't been able to fertilize it as much due to moving recently and still getting my gears sorted). Just wondering if I should try inducing it into dormancy as it is winter here.




As for the Fdk. After Dark SVO Black Pearl, it's doing super good! Something was growing underneath the sheath of this years growth and to my surprise it was a new pseudobulb! Trying to put it into dormancy, but the leaves refuse to drop even though I haven't watered it for like 2 weeks.




So yes, although sadly one died as a result of my failure, the others have been doing great! Would like to thank everyone here who helped with special thanks to Stephen! Your advice and videos have been a TREMENDOUS help!

But also, haha looking for some advice on some of my other catasetinae

This is a Fdk. after dark SVO Black pearl and I'm just wondering if I should give it a little water to plump the pseudobulbs back up (it came to me in its dormancy) as it has shriveled quite a lot. I did give it one pump from my mister in the hopes that would be enough, but it didn't really do anything haha. Another issue is the base of this years growth being brown. When I removed some of the sheath I found it a be a bit too brown for my liking so just wanting some advice on that. Any opinion would be great!





The next plant is the Monnierara Millennium Magic 'Witchcraft', the last leaf fell off about 3 weeks ago and I thought that's great, dormancy so I don't have to do anything with it for the next few months. But I peeped a look at it and I saw a new growth (or at least that's what I think it is, I feel like it's way too small to produce flower spikes). So yeah, bit confused on what to do with that.

[isurus79]

Glad you're getting this group figured out! You can help trigger dormancy with exposure to natural sunlight or by reducing daylength with artificial lights. Increasing the length between watering helps as well.

The brown at the base of the dormant bulb is troubling, so I recommend keeping an eye on it. You can soak that dormant one, just keep it warm until it dries.