Dormancy conditions for catasetums, etc.

[Den-phal52]

I have quit watering and fertilizing. All my catasetums and their alliance are in a separate area so I won't forget and treat them like my other orchids. Should they be under cover or can they be exposed and receive rain? I thought about how they exist in their natural habitat...even though it's a dry season, some rainfall must be inevitable. I live in S. Florida and winter is our dry season.

Bottom line...my orchids got a healthy watering this morning. What will be the potential result? Should I move them under cover?

[greenhouseFrog]

Those lower temperatures coming this weekend might be something to keep an eye on—from what I’ve gathered here on OB and from some other growers in SFL, some moisture is tolerated as long as temps don’t stay in the 50’s for long. If they were mine, I’d bring them under cover just to have control over the water.

I’m a rookie when it comes to Catasetinae, so hopefully others with actual tenure will chime in—you’re in GOOD hands!

[Den-phal52]

Thank you...I think I'll bring them inside and place them in bright morning sun.

[Roberta]

Catasetinae tend to be low-elevation plants. So minimum night temperature should not be much below 55 deg F. Indeed the south Florida climate, in general, is OK for outdoor growing of this group, but you do get the occasional cold snap. (I don't thint that there are any Catasetinae that are native to Florida, probably for that reason)

[greenhouseFrog]

Roberta, we have one native! Galeandra bicarinata has been vouched for in Miami-Dade County—I’ve never seen one though!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by greenhouseFrog

Roberta, we have one native! Galeandra bicarinata has been vouched for in Miami-Dade County—I’ve never seen one though!

That would be so exciting to see!