Uh-Oh...I think? (Catasetum imperiale)

[Sandy4453]

I've never (yet) been able to get any Catasetums to bloom and I have a feeling, I'm not going to break any records this year.

Aren't the leaves supposed to turn yellow and fall after flowering? No spiking so far and this new, yellow bottom leaf today, are causing me to have a lot of doubt with these...once again. It's getting watered every other day on average, when dry.

Advice/enlightenment is greatly appreciated!

[Bruno De Toni]

Sandy, your plant looks ok, do not worry about the yellow leaf, the ones close to the base of the bulb normaly fall down before dormancy period, but be carefull with water, not to much and not to less. It has only one old pseudo bulb and the new one still growing, my impression it will not bloom this year, still getting strenght for flowering.

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by Bruno De Toni

Sandy, your plant looks ok, do not worry about the yellow leaf, the ones close to the base of the bulb normaly fall down before dormancy period, but be carefull with water, not to much and not to less. It has only one old pseudo bulb and the new one still growing, my impression it will not bloom this year, still getting strenght for flowering.

Thanks for your reply, Bruno. So, I shouldn't expect blooms this year? It's safe then to say that the first yellowing leaf (they always start, bottom up?) is a sign of it soon to go into resting? And if so, do I start slowing down on the watering? Would you clarify for me what you mean about the bulb still getting strength for flowering...for next year or, maybe this year? This bulb won't spike next year, will it? It's done after this season, so I thought???

I'm a hopeless case when it comes to these! They frustrate me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[isurus79]

I agree with Bruno. Looks fine. It is a little small for a guaranteed bloom though. If I were you, I would just keep buying more plants and kill a bunch of inexpensive ones until you get the hang of it. This one looks healthy though!!

[Bruno De Toni]

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

Thanks for your reply, Bruno. So, I shouldn't expect blooms this year? It's safe then to say that the first yellowing leaf (they always start, bottom up?) is a sign of it soon to go into resting? And if so, do I start slowing down on the watering? Would you clarify for me what you mean about the bulb still getting strength for flowering...for next year or, maybe this year? This bulb won't spike next year, will it? It's done after this season, so I thought???

I'm a hopeless case when it comes to these! They frustrate me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your plant is still growing it requires a few more months before getting rest. I meant that your plant it may to bloom this year because normaly they have to build strong pseudobulbs before flowering, that is why I am supposing that this one won´t bloom this year, it will bloom next year on a new growing pseudo bulb and not from the old ones.

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by Bruno De Toni

Your plant is still growing it requires a few more months before getting rest. I meant that your plant it may to bloom this year because normaly they have to build strong pseudobulbs before flowering, that is why I am supposing that this one won´t bloom this year, it will bloom next year on a new growing pseudo bulb and not from the old ones.

Oh, ok...now it all makes sense to me, Bruno. Thanks for clearing that up. So, this bulb may (but probably not) bloom this year and if not, will prepare to grow a stronger, new bulb for next year's blooming.

I can't wait till next year, now.

[snow]

i am thinking that it is not the right time for flowering yet and the yellowing is a sighn of wanting some fertilizer,