Cycnoches Golden Shower 'HOF#2'

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Yes, rot can be a problem with many of the Cycnoches. I never had a problem with new growth rotting out as much as I did in winter during dormancy. And this was in Hawaii where it doesn't really get that cold! I also let my plants go bone dry and still sometimes they would rot for reasons I never understood.



A week or so is about normal for male flowers, females last longer. Leaf drop can happen at any time in the fall, so I wouldn't worry about the timing. Just water less and withhold all fertilizer.

Thank you for the information.
So rot is a problem with these, dang!
This plant came from Hawaii, and if this plant is to overwinter, it will be rather warm in my apartment. lol
Do they rest better in cold climate??

Short flower span is a big no no for me then.
but I'm still looking forward to seeing the flowers.

I soaked the plant really good on sunday after bringing this home as it was bone dry due to shipping.
I guess I don't have to worry about the leaves then.

Where do you overwinter yours by the way??

---------- Post added at 09:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Bud

the buds have not yet fully opened.... it will be quite a display soon and fragrant.... the plant got high energy and enough brightness to produce two spikes....after its bloom it will lose the leaves and then start winter rest....hopefully your new growth will be bigger than this plant....my Catasetinae plants are also in spike

I hope it will make it to next year without rotting. lol

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Do they rest better in cold climate??

Where do you overwinter yours by the way??

They rest well in all kinds of weather! Until you get a better handle on this group of orchids, I think you should follow the guidelines set by Fred Clarke. You know, however, that I spoke with Gene Monnier (the founding father of Catasetinae breeding) and he says that if your temps stay above 55F, you can keep watering them all winter. I've also spoken with the folks that own H&R Nurseries and they don't rest their Catasetinae either. I think your chances of rot are less in warmer temps.

Due to my space constraints here in my apartment in Texas, I only grow Clow. Rebecca Tyson Northen so I overwinter inside. When I was in Hawaii, my plants stayed outside but in a dry area due to the fact that the coldest weather is the rainiest time of the year there. Of course H&R grows their orchids under shade cloth and their plants get rained on all winter long! lol

[NYCorchidman]

My apartment never gets below 65F in the winter.
So they tend to rot more easily under cooler and wetter temperature?
Is no rest possible with winter rest being this plant's natural habit?

I remember seeing huge plants that looked like Catasetinae at Kawamoto nursery. Outdoor and exposed to all kind of whatever nature throws at them. lol must have been the rot resistant type.

I read up on a few different types under this group of orchids, and the two types (cycnoches and mormodes) that make up my plant are the rot prone plants. oh, well...

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

My apartment never gets below 65F in the winter.
So they tend to rot more easily under cooler and wetter temperature?
Is no rest possible with winter rest being this plant's natural habit?

I remember seeing huge plants that looked like Catasetinae at Kawamoto nursery. Outdoor and exposed to all kind of whatever nature throws at them. lol must have been the rot resistant type.

I read up on a few different types under this group of orchids, and the two types (cycnoches and mormodes) that make up my plant are the rot prone plants. oh, well...

Cool and wet is always bad for most tropical orchids! If you can keep it warm, you might consider just dropping the fertilizer and seeing if you can coax a new growth out by watering it 1x per week (when dormancy starts, which is not quite yet) instead of 1x per month.

Again, I'd recommend you follow Fred Clarke's recipe for success, but if you want to do an experiment...

[Bud]

it will not rot as long as you stop water and fertilizer as soon as the leaves fall off....restrain yourself from watering until you see a new growth.....wait until you have at least three inches of roots then you can continue water and fertilizer.
I myself unpot it bareroot for winter rest, clean the roots and let it stand on a bright corner of my window and forget about it until I get a new growth. The canes shrivel and I restrain myself from watering it....you will be surprised how much food is stored inside that cane.....it can support the new growth for a couple of months.
Kawamoto have a different environment and the rest period is short because the plant can sense that the dormancy is cut short due to high humidity in their grow zone and bright light....but not on your New York window sill....so, better follow the culture of its habitat in the wild.

[euplusia]

The flowers are absolutely beautiful, even when they are short-living.
Cycnoches herrenhusanum has been found in the southwestern state of Narino in Colombia, on the Pacific side in year round warm to hot tropical lowland. The rest period in nature should be about 60 days and warm. I don't know if leaves fall off in nature. In an appropriate climate I think that old leaves are green nearly until the new growth is visible, although they can stand a longer rest period.

[NYCorchidman]

Thank you for the great input.

It is nice to know that its parent comes from year around warm/hot area.
So I guess the rest is just dormany without any cooling needed, but a little cut on watering.

My apartment is still very warm and I watered the plant Monday, the mix is still moist.
Bottom five leaves are turning yellow from the tip, while top four leaves are still green.
I see a tiny new "eye" at the base of the cane poking out a little. hmmmm

I guess I keep watering the plant for now until flowers fade?
Do I consider the end of the blooming as the beginning of the dormancy or does dormancy starts once all the leaves fall off??

---------- Post added at 11:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:08 AM ----------




Steve,

"...seeing if you can coax a new growth out by watering it 1x per week (when dormancy starts, which is not quite yet) instead of 1x per month."


I find this advice very confusing.
Why do I want to force the plant skip the dormancy?
Is it alright for the plant? and what is the purpose of forcing it to grow? to lower the risk of rotting?

[euplusia]

The plant has its own growth cycle and I advice to go along with it and do not recommend to work against it. The rest period starts once nearly all leaves have fallen off.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Steve,

"...seeing if you can coax a new growth out by watering it 1x per week (when dormancy starts, which is not quite yet) instead of 1x per month."


I find this advice very confusing.
Why do I want to force the plant skip the dormancy?
Is it alright for the plant? and what is the purpose of forcing it to grow? to lower the risk of rotting?

Just stick to Fred Clarke's schedule. Once you've grown these guys for a while, then I can teach you some fun tricks. For now, forget I even brought it up!

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by euplusia

The plant has its own growth cycle and I advice to go along with it and do not recommend to work against it. The rest period starts once nearly all leaves have fallen off.

Thanks!

---------- Post added at 12:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:49 AM ----------

Originally Posted by isurus79

Just stick to Fred Clarke's schedule. Once you've grown these guys for a while, then I can teach you some fun tricks. For now, forget I even brought it up!

You're making me very curious

---------- Post added at 12:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:50 AM ----------

By the way, all the flowers are open and it is quite the sight!
It has this strange scent though. all day and all night. sort of like some chemical, paint? can't really pinpoint but not terrible. not that pleasing either.