Which media do you use for Catasetum?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

for a take from left feild- i grow in Florida, outside- i use only inorganic media in large clay pots that sit in very large saucers holding water up to 2"- my medium is #4 perlite, charcoal, leca and lava rock.

I do leave all fallen organic material on them and let it do its thing and i fertilize very lightly with every water ing I do, which is not very often as i let the rain do most of the work

Alas, summer "rain" in southern California comes out a hose. This year, winter rain isn't much better. Great for growing Mediterranean terrestrials, not so good for monsoonal orchids.

[Subrosa]

Starting just as they begin to break dormancy, I put a rock at the bottom of the pot for ballast, since mine are outside and subject to wind. Then I fill the pot about 2/3 of the way with plain old composted cow manure, and then whatever for the top 1/3. I've used Sphagnum, but once the plants get into larger pots, cypress mulch is more economical. When the previous years bulbs start shriveled I begin watering. Once it's warm enough to put them outside, they go into a tray that holds an inch or 2 of water constantly. They stay in the trays until the leaves start to yellow, then I start letting them dry between waterings. When they come in for the winter, I let them dry out and rest until they start new growths, then the cycle starts over.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Starting just as they begin to break dormancy, I put a rock at the bottom of the pot for ballast, since mine are outside and subject to wind. Then I fill the pot about 2/3 of the way with plain old composted cow manure, and then whatever for the top 1/3. I've used Sphagnum, but once the plants get into larger pots, cypress mulch is more economical. When the previous years bulbs start shriveled I begin watering. Once it's warm enough to put them outside, they go into a tray that holds an inch or 2 of water constantly. They stay in the trays until the leaves start to yellow, then I start letting them dry between waterings. When they come in for the winter, I let them dry out and rest until they start new growths, then the cycle starts over.

I've never used any kind of organic fertilizer out of fear of smells/fungus gnats. Until recently I didn't have an outdoor growing space so I always avoided compost, manures, or even peat. My houseplants are potted in coco coir, everything gets the same feeding year-round but whatever needs more feeding gets slow release Osmocote or Spring Ahead from Miracle-Gro.

Now that I have some outdoor space I might give compost or manure a try. I've heard the cow or horse manure working well for catasetinae before.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by MateoinLosAngeles

I've never used any kind of organic fertilizer out of fear of smells/fungus gnats. Until recently I didn't have an outdoor growing space so I always avoided compost, manures, or even peat. My houseplants are potted in coco coir, everything gets the same feeding year-round but whatever needs more feeding gets slow release Osmocote or Spring Ahead from Miracle-Gro.

Now that I have some outdoor space I might give compost or manure a try. I've heard the cow or horse manure working well for catasetinae before.

When these are in full growth mode you'd have to try really hard to overwater or over fertilize them. And at least here in PA to give them too much sun is pretty much impossible.