New growth

[Brock]

I'm not sure what catasetum this is but has to be one of three. I'll be able to tell if I can get it to bloom! Last year all three had new growth. One died none bloomed. I think I reported to late but roots were all three inches. One I think it was this one that had new growth spiraling in corkscrew shapes. They were neglected for years before last season but they hung on. This plant is growing right off the old bulb. I've once again never seen this. The other one I know is alive looks normal.

[estación seca]

Those new growths will each make new roots.

[Brock]

I see the one is starting with a root. I'm just waiting. Is that normal. It didn't bloom last year. It has been in the same spot so I assume I'm doing everything right so far. Its collected a little dust. I've never seen new growth so high on a bulb. Once the roots get three inches ill start with watering and fertilizer and just wait until then

[Brock]

I see roots this guy I'm not sure i don't want to mess with it its hard to see in there

[Brock]

I'm just going to wait luckily I can see this one

[Roberta]

catesetinae try your patience. Sometimes you can't even see the roots to tell how long they are. I also go by a couple of other signs to determine when to start watering.:
Leaves - when they start to spread out (from the tight little bundles they start with ).
Roots - after the first group of roots has started to elongate, you'll see a second flush of roots at the base of the pseudobulbs. Let those get going well, and then you can start watering.

Before that, put the watering can where you can't reach it, and keep your hands in your pockets so you aren't tempted to grab it. It is better to wait 2 or 3 weeks after you could have started to water than to do it 2 or 3 weeks too soon. You are probably about 2 months away from watering, at least for the plants in your photos.

[Brock]

Thanks I held of with both. Is it common for the growth to come out higher on the nodes or does that have anything to do with stress? I think their both big enough to bloom but with the one looking like it only has one bulb right now all I can do is wait. I'd ove to have two more bulbs and get flowers next year if I don't get any this season.

[Roberta]

I think that's pretty normal, maybe happens more if the pseudobulb is not in good shape. Let it do what it's going to do, and just observe. That's how you learn what's a problem and what isn't.

[tmoney]

best of luck on blooming your catasetums! this is one of the most frustrating genera for us, as of our 5 (now 6) catasetums, none of them have bloomed in 2-3 growing seasons. they grow so nicely though that we love having them as plants, but it would be great if we could get some flowers!

some things that folks have told us attempting to help us out. first, keeping the light duration up a bit thru winter. we now have a set of lights to help with this and kept 12 hours since january. two, giving more sun in summer. going to have most of them in the sunniest spot in the garden this summer and they should get about 6 hours of full sun each sunny day. three, water much more and keep the ferts up.

we did all this last yer (without the winter lights last winter), but this summer we are going full in!! full, unobstructed sun and watering once or 2x daily. we put 3 of them into semi-hydro this summer to try and keep moisture up. also, many successful growers seem to use osmocote time release fertiliser balls in the pots. we haven't tried that yet, but it is on the menu for things to try if we don't see flowers this year.

keep us posted on you catasetums...they are such a cool group of plants!

[Brock]

Thanks for the help. I've heard they are the most difficult. Luckily I didn't have trouble. As these two get ready I was trying to think if I was watering once a week. I know there was some sphagnum moss in the substrate. I think I was using a fertilizer specifically for catasetums. I started watering real low flow for at least 20 minutes always sure the pot never overflows with water. I can't even remember what size jug I was using for fertilizer probably a gallon. I could definitely research get you the exact fertilizer I was using. Humidity is high in Florida im sure that helped but I think watering once a week had then indoors by a window. The Florida sun im sure also helped even thought I was winter. I know drip method water techniques are more common now will al plants the continuous drip. Ten years ago I started with the deep drinks for 20 minutes. I sumed it up to the rain theres sun showers but when it rains alot of continuous water made sense to me I recommend it for all orchids now. Hope yours bloom. I'm going to be devastated if I don't get flowers out of at least one this year but I'll get over it. I can't even remember the months. I think the leaves even started to die back with them still in bloom. I'd really have to think about it and look through my records.