Catasetum pileatum early repot

[TOMMYMIAMI]

This baby arrived in my package from Thailand in September. Due to the fact it was from Thailand, it was in full winter sleep at that time. I left it be since September, in October 2 tiny new growths started to show, till now one of them grew to the point I felt I should repot this baby and start water again, the growth itself is over 4", the roots are 3". I did trim all the old roots, and god rid of all old medium, potted in the mix of sawdust, perlite, dolomite powder, little bit of chopped sphagnum, and dynamite fertilizing pellets. Hope it will grow well. The second growth is stacked and did nothing since October, still green though

[kindrag23]

Very nice, this is what I thought mine was supposed to look like when I got my pileatum x expansum Lol. Very nice job.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by kindrag23

Very nice, this is what I thought mine was supposed to look like when I got my pileatum x expansum Lol. Very nice job.

Thanks Kindra, the pseudobulb with the new growth was very plumed and juicy in September but feeding the baby it shrank, and I felt like the baby and it's roots is big enough to start living on it's own, so I did repot and stop winter rest for this one:-)

[kindrag23]

I can see why

[euplusia]

You have done right with repotting. The bigger new lead has finished dormancy already.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by euplusia

You have done right with repotting. The bigger new lead has finished dormancy already.

Thanks euplusia, I did think so. Now, should I start for this one regular watering as I do for catasetums in active growth, or should still hold little bit due to the fact it is winter here now and temps are not so hot plus I do not have nearly any sun at the balcony till spring? Many thanks for tips.

[nikkik]

Looks great!

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by nikkik

Looks great!

Thanks nikkik, I am testing that mix that was here on the board, but added just a little tiny bit of chopped sphagnum to this pot because the other ones were doing great in straight sphag for me for the past year, I have another one in exactly recommended mix also, just sawdust, perlite and dolomite powder, so will see what will work better, both of these are not in the rest, so by the time my "on schedule" one will be ready in spring I will hopefully see which mix works better for them:-)

[Bud]

Very Good! Well done, Tommy! The new growth is healthy with robust roots yet the cane is not even shriveled. You also neatly potted it in your new method of mix....That will definitely give you nice flowers next year.

[euplusia]

Catasetums start growing at the end of the dry season, waiting for the rain. This is a time of slow growth, and reduced watering with very little fertilizer is advisable. In summertime I switch to full watering about 6 weeks later.