monn millenium culture advice/help

[katrina]

Catasetum need a LOT of water and a LOT of fertilizer during their growth phase. They grow so fast that a lack in either area will result in weak foliage...which is what it looks like might be your issue there. It can also really delay the plants ability to grow...which could be why your growth is behind what would be considered "normal". Typically, at this point in the season, most Ctsm pbulbs are mature and starting to lose leaves and/or very close to being mature...yours is still a good ways away from that stage.

When they are in their active growth phase I have mine sitting in a saucer of water and they are acclimated to nearly full sun. I use granular fert in the pot and fertilize at least once a week w/a liquid when I fert the other orchids. They are exceptionally heavy feeders.

I hold the water back in the Spring until the new growths have roots about 3" long but before the heavy watering they are already in the brightest light I can give them. As soon as the roots are long enough, I add the granular fert (I like Dynamite-red bottle) and they go into the mix w/the rest of the orchids w/the liquid fert. Once it's warm enough to move all the plants outside, I spend a week or two acclimating them to nearly full sun all day long. They're only protection is a swath of 30% shade cloth but it's such a thin swath that it doesn't cover them completely except for from around 1pm until around 3pm.

I would try moving it to an area that is much brighter...be careful of burning so do it slowly. I would get into bright light and up the watering and fert...in hopes that I could get that new growth to mature.

The great thing about these plants is they store a lot of energy and nutrients in those fat pbulbs so even if this one does not become strong enough to do too much...the older pbulb will likely sprout another one when the timing is right. Don't be surprised if it does it w/out going into full dormancy. Moving forward just make sure you supply the water and fert it needs to make the next one big and fat and strong.

[orchidsarefun]

I agree that you also need to downsize the pot. Compare the pot you have it in now and the pot it came in; mine is doing very well in that same small-size black pot.
Over the Summer I also experimented with different size pots - I had one in a larger unglazed ceramic pot and another in a small plastic pot. The latter plant is ar least 3x times the size of the former ! It seems they prefer less space.

[kindrag23]

[QUOTE=orchidsarefun;623239]I agree that you also need to downsize the pot. Compare the pot you have it in now and the pot it came in; mine is doing very well in that same small-size black pot.
Over the Summer I also experimented with different size pots - I had one in a larger unglazed ceramic pot and another in a small plastic pot. The latter plant is ar least 3x times the size of the former ! It seems they prefer less space.

Yes they do. Mine did got mad because I put it in a pot slightly to large.

[hypostatic]

Originally Posted by katrina

Catasetum need a LOT of water and a LOT of fertilizer during their growth phase. They grow so fast that a lack in either area will result in weak foliage...

Hey, so I was just wondering if this guy is looking good so far? The leaves look nice and big and healthy. But the bulb isn't as fat and chubby as I think it should be. Should I increase my fertilization schedule?

[orchidsarefun]

this is mine. It is outdoors and I sprinkled dynamite slow-release fertiliser granules and a teaspoon of bloodmeal on the surface earlier in the season. I do think that these can take a lot of fertiliser.
The proof though will be in the flowering....or not.

[hypostatic]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

this is mine. It is outdoors and I sprinkled dynamite slow-release fertiliser granules and a teaspoon of bloodmeal on the surface earlier in the season. I do think that these can take a lot of fertiliser.
The proof though will be in the flowering....or not.

Hmmm, so is the fact that mine doesn't have a fat bulb indicative that I am under-fertilizing it?

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by hypostatic

Hmmm, so is the fact that mine doesn't have a fat bulb indicative that I am under-fertilizing it?

Don't know. Could also be that yours receives insufficient light/water/ maybe temps too hot or cold. Mine is in a breezy position and receives early morning and late afternoon sun.
If you eliminate those factors, then maybe.....there is no harm in fertilising more anyway. That is the reason why I like the extended-release fertiliser. You don't have to worry.
On the other hand, it may be that mine won't bloom well in Fall....because of too much nitrogen which I have heard promotes growth instead of blooms. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[hypostatic]

Ok here it is starting to get a little fatter