First Catasetum - when should I divide/repot

[kindrag23]

If the growth is small could you place a small diameter wooden stake against it to help it slowly grow back upright? Something like the thin bbq cabob stakes?

[Paul Mc]

Good question and thoughts! I was going to post a similar question about repotting, so hope I don't steal or disrupt the process of this thread.

I had assumed the appropriate time to repot was when the new root growth started to develop, but was curious how often to repot. All of mine came in sphagnum moss, including those from Fred. My limited understanding of this medium was that it should be replaced every year due to the potential of it decomposing and changing PH. Is that limited understanding wrong? Is it ok to let them sit in the same sphagnum moss for more than one year? If so, how often should they actually be repotted?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I had assumed the appropriate time to repot was when the new root growth started to develop, but was curious how often to repot. All of mine came in sphagnum moss, including those from Fred. My limited understanding of this medium was that it should be replaced every year due to the potential of it decomposing and changing PH. Is that limited understanding wrong? Is it ok to let them sit in the same sphagnum moss for more than one year? If so, how often should they actually be repotted?

You can repot during dormancy, just keep it dry. The roots then grow into the new media automatically and you don't have to worry about breaking them when repotting.

Long fiber spag can easily go two years, but you probably don't want to push it much longer than that. Sprinkling a bit of dolomite on top of the spag will help prevent the pH from dropping.

[kindrag23]

I always change mine out each year. Just to be on the safe side. Or as of recently re padding every few weeks. The wind here has been outrageous!

[orchidsarefun]

I always store mine bare root over Winter. I have read that you can leave in same media, but I won't because - surely fertiliser salts build up - in media as well as in any clay pot ? These are heavily fertilised to get the best growth. I have also discovered that white/powdery scale only becomes evident when the plant is bare root. The scale is way down the base of the pbulb.
So - in my circumstances, I will always bare root.

[Paul Mc]

Thank you all for your answers! Good to know!

[kindrag23]

@PaulMc what is the name of the catasetum in your picture? It looks so neat.

[kikitastrophe]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I had assumed the appropriate time to repot was when the new root growth started to develop, but was curious how often to repot. All of mine came in sphagnum moss, including those from Fred.

According to Fred (whom I asked earlier in this thread!) the time to repot is when the new growth is 2" tall. I figure he knows what to do!

There were so many roots (and there are sooo many new ones this year already!) that I can't see how you could not repot every year, just based on the worry the old dead roots would rot/get in the way of the new growth - and they did seem entirely dead when I cut them (Though, I did leave a few to help with stabilization in repotting, as suggested).

[Paul Mc]

Kindrag, it is a Karen Armstrong, from Fred.

[khill]

Great information in this thread! I just bought my first Catasetum from Sunset Valley at the Redlands Festival over the weekend and am learning and excited to try growing these.