Bare-root, no-growth-yet catasetums - I need advice!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by nancy

Hi Steve -
I think your thoughts make sense; it seems logical to treat these plants as if it were winter here (steamy, humid winter!). And it also does make sense that it may take them a year or more to find their balance and reach the point where they will bloom. It will certainly be worth the wait - good thing there are other plants out there!
Thanks - Nancy

I agree. You'll also be the only person posting of Catasetum flowers in the spring!

[Sandy4453]

All this great advice and I'm still confused

Of the 3 catesetums I have, one dropped all it's leaves recently. I thought when the bulbs start to grow leaves, roots will also begin and then, watering resumed, gradually (with amount and length of roots) until they begin to lose leaves in autumn, etc. I watered, probably too much and think this is what caused the leaf drop early in the season? I've stopped all watering on this one. What should I expect at this point, no growth until next year or a dead plant? I bought this plant with it's leaves already grown so I'm wondering if their typical watering season doesn't necessarily mean ALL spring/summer long?

The other 2 have leaves, lots of roots but I noticed that the roots began to suffer with the watering intake. I've cut back on the watering to twice a week. Is this realistic or should I wait to see new root growth first?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by SRF

All this great advice and I'm still confused

Of the 3 catesetums I have, one dropped all it's leaves recently. I thought when the bulbs start to grow leaves, roots will also begin and then, watering resumed, gradually (with amount and length of roots) until they begin to lose leaves in autumn, etc. I watered, probably too much and think this is what caused the leaf drop early in the season? I've stopped all watering on this one. What should I expect at this point, no growth until next year or a dead plant? I bought this plant with it's leaves already grown so I'm wondering if their typical watering season doesn't necessarily mean ALL spring/summer long?

The other 2 have leaves, lots of roots but I noticed that the roots began to suffer with the watering intake. I've cut back on the watering to twice a week. Is this realistic or should I wait to see new root growth first?

If you are overwatering and one of your plants dropped its leaves already, that means the roots are probably dead. There's no way that the leaves should be dropping this early in the year. Unless you got your plants from South America, that is. Some would DEFINITELY help with a diagnosis, however. Its probably too late to repot this year (unless the roots are just a mess, which is what Im guessing for your leafless plant), but next year try to repot your Catasetums with larger media and poke holes in your plastic pots or use clay pots. You could even try mounting them or repotting them into baskets. That way your could water them all you want and not really be overwatering! Definitely post some pics though.

[Sandy4453]

Thanks for the reply and advice Steve. Well, I've already repotted the leafless one into a seedling bark mix. The roots were pretty much spent but nothing was rotted. Hopefully, it'll gain momentum next growing season? It's the first one in the pic. The other 2 are still ok but as I mentioned, the roots suffered from the frequency in which these were watered so I'm holding back now until I start seeing more root growth. Am I assuming correctly? These 2 are in Hydroton with a little coir and charcoal. All are in side slit, plastic pots.

Should I hold off on watering the 2 with leaves until I start seeing new growth?

[isurus79]

All three seem to have leaves! All three also seem to have new growth which are actively growing! I have a feeling that the "leafless" plant had an old p-bulb that finally shed its leaves. This happens when the winter rest was not harsh enough for the previous year's growth to get scared and go into hibernation, thus shedding its leaves. No, I would continue to water all three plants because they all have new growth. Cut back on watering (I think you said 2x per week) until you see some shrivelling of the old bulbs, then begin a water regimine that is a bit wetter. Basically, you want to water just enough to keep the old bulbs plump, but not enough to rot the roots! Its a bit of a tightrope walk that you need to tailor to your particular conditions. For example, I water my plants every day for most of the year. Not because its hot, but because there is a pretty strong wind that dries them out. You might have warmer conditions than me (thus causing higher evaporation rates), but not as much air movement (thus lowering evap rates, comparitively). You just need to be very vigilant with your plants and check on them every day. These plants will actually tell you everything you need to know about their needs as long as you are paying attention. Actually, I think all orchids are that way. Take an environmental inventory around with your plants, see what the conditions are and what end result they will cause, take into account your schedule and watering habits and then tailor a care regimen that what works for you! Dont forget to post of this fall's blooms too!!

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by isurus79

All three seem to have leaves! All three also seem to have new growth which are actively growing!

Sorry Steve, I should have mentioned, this pic is from about a month ago. The catasetum on the left is the one that's bald now. Recent pics wouldn't show anything as I repotted it already...it's just leafless now, is the difference.

Originally Posted by isurus79

Cut back on watering (I think you said 2x per week) until you see some shrivelling of the old bulbs, then begin a water regimine that is a bit wetter. Basically, you want to water just enough to keep the old bulbs plump, but not enough to rot the roots!

Jackpot! This right here is exactly what I needed to know in order to act intuitively on their behalf. Thanks so much. I've been given a lot of great advice but I was never sure how to recognize what was applicable to my little guys. I wasn't sure what I should be looking out for. The bulbs appearance, according to how you've described, will be how I gauge myself for watering.

Originally Posted by isurus79

These plants will actually tell you everything you need to know about their needs as long as you are paying attention.

As with all my others, this is soooooooo true! Now I know what to pay attention to, thanks to you.

[isurus79]

No prob, any time!

[Sandy4453]

Steve (isurus79):I have a couple of updated questions for you and since you said, 'anytime', I'm taking you up on that.

This is the one catasetum that lost it's leaves. The one back bulb on the right is the one that lost the leaves. You said to cut back on watering until I see shriveling on the back bulbs (oldest). (Watering will only be on the other 2 with the leaves, not this one until later on.) Question: I'm not sure how to recognize the oldest growth? The largest ones seem to be the oldest but I'm used to recognizing the smallest, to be the oldest (ie., Dends.). So, where am I supposed to be looking?



Also, there's a new growth. Is this typically expected this time of year? And would I assume the roots to follow before I consider watering it?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by SRF

Steve (isurus79):I have a couple of updated questions for you and since you said, 'anytime', I'm taking you up on that.

lol
I would say that your Catasetum is a bit out of whack with its seasonal timing, but thats ok. The fact that it is healthy and growing is all that matters. The newest growth is likely the largest one, which is good! Each new growth should be atleast as large as the last one, if not bigger. The fact that you have a new growth means that you can water it vigorously pretty soon. Since you have been watering it fairly often already, I would only cut back on the watering (not eliminate completely) until the old bulbs shrivel a bit and then water as we discussed earlier. As the growth and roots get larger, begin increasing the watering regime as well. BTW, what type of Cat is that? I have a denticulatum that has still not begun a new growth yet while all my others are nearly mature!! I got it from EOoM and I was able to visit them a few weeks ago and thier denticulatums were at about the same state. Im just wondering if that is the same type that you have.

[Sandy4453]

Steve, thanks once again and I'll be owing you another 'thanks once again'...

Originally Posted by isurus79

lol. The fact that you have a new growth means that you can water it vigorously pretty soon. Since you have been watering it fairly often already, I would only cut back on the watering (not eliminate completely) until the old bulbs shrivel a bit and then water as we discussed earlier. As the growth and roots get larger, begin increasing the watering regime as well.

More questions When is soon? What do I wait to see before I begin watering? I stopped all watering about 2 weeks ago. And, the oldest bulb is shriveled so should I water once a week starting, now?

Originally Posted by isurus79

BTW, what type of Cat is that?

Ctsm. imperiale x Ctsm. (Thinger Dinger x expansum)