First Catasetum - when should I divide/repot

[kikitastrophe]

Originally Posted by kikitastrophe

What I need to know is when to separate the bulbs! Anyway, I emailed the master (FDK himself!) and I will see what he says and relay it here for the benefit of anyone else curious.

The answer for posterity: Leave catasetums alone until they have about 2" of new growth, then is the time to repot and/or divide if appropriate. Once repotted and/or divided, watering still doesn't start until the root system is well developed (4-5" on both roots and plant)

[kindrag23]

@ kikitastrophe nice to know!! I got one close to this move requirement. Thanks madam!

[kikitastrophe]

And now it's time to put this advice to practice... Well, not exactly yet. The little growth is only 1" tall so far... but looking good!

[Greenthumb.5]

I would recommend peeling off all of the sheaths or the papery coverings around the bulbs because this will reduce insect infestations and you will see the health of the bulb itself. It also will look clean and will keep the bulbs dry and eliminate the risk of rot to the bulbs.

[kikitastrophe]

I followed the above advice, when the growth got to 2" I unpotted, clipped off the old roots, and split the 5 divisions (there was one tiny bulb I hadn't seen until I unpotted) into 2 plants: #1 comprised of the the oldest three bulbs (2 larger ones, one tiny) and #2 including the two newest and largest bulbs and the small 2" tall new growth.

#1 and #2 each went in Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix in seperate 4" pots.

This process was pretty rough and I wish I had a picture of the a 5' x 4' murder scene of spagnum moss, root clippings and old medium. My husband (who purchased the FDK from Sunset Valley) looked a little worried, and admittedly I was not entirely confident.

When #2 was 5" I started watering, approximately 1x/week, and I'm fertilizing weakly almost every week with my usual grow-more 20-10-20

#1 is not quite an inch yet (I am not watering it), but I am optimistic I will have two plants! #2 looks great. (See photos)

[kindrag23]

I think your photos got flipped(Mine always come in upside down...) but otherwise they look wonderful! You did a great job! I see happy sap/juice? on the tiny growth!

[orchidsarefun]

looking good..... I divided mine when I saw growth and both divisions are growing.
A tip for next year - don't remove all the old root growth.
You may think its dead but it might not be, but also helps secure the bulb upright when repotting.

[kindrag23]

@orchidsarefun good point they are a wonderful help at keeping plants stationary. Until the new roots come in.

[orchidsarefun]

anyone have ideas on keeping the new growth upright ? Mine are growing sideways ( like photo ) - I hope that they will straighten out after I move them outdoors. My mormodes bulb was staked when I bought it. I tried to stake a new growth but I am worried that it will snap off and the growth has now pushed past the stake.

[isurus79]

A lot of Catasetinae grow slanted naturally. Staking them is really the only way to overcome this.