Catasetum short lived plants ?

[ncapensis]

I was just at a small Orchid show and sale. One of the OS members there was saying Catasetum have short lives in his experience. Be interested to know peoples observations. Also Spider mite is a real problem with Catasetum. If Catasetum have short lives then is this why people seem to divide often ?
I'm not so bothered about Spider mite as they can be defeated. I was planning on a big order to have sent to Holland when we move there in the Summer
But spending a lot of money to get plants to Europe and having them die early would be no fun
Thank you
Steve

[orchidsarefun]

the bulbs do only produce leaves and flowers in the space of a year and then go dormant. However a new growth soon appears from the dormant bulb and the dormant bulb of most species/hybrids stays green and plump. Certainly not 'dead'.
However, that said, there are species/hybrids where the previously dormant bulb does shrivel and die ( in my collection its Cyc. Golden Showers ) and he may have been referring to these. Currently mine has new growth off the 1 year old bulb and the 2 year old bulb is dying.
Mine have never had spider mite. I summer mine outdoors and the wind/rain and predators take care of any issues.

[ncapensis]

Thank you, for the reply. Helps build confidence . I guess I'll have to grow and observe as with most plants . The OS member grows under lights so that maybe the trigger for spider mite, constant environment and no weather assaults . I'll create my own weather indoors
Best Wishes
Steve

[isurus79]

Mormodes have a reputation as being short lived, however Catasetums are not short lived.

[ncapensis]

Good to know. If one divides Mormodes each year or every couple of years does this extend the life of a plant ?

[camille1585]

If you are moving to Europe, why not save yourself some costs and buy the plants there? And Elsner orchids in Germany is organizing a large import of plants from Brazil (for delivery in the summer- preorders until late april) and there is a good amount of Catasetinae in the list.

And welcome (in advance) to the Netherlands, it's a fantastic little country. I've been here 8 years and don't plan on leaving anytime soon!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by ncapensis

Good to know. If one divides Mormodes each year or every couple of years does this extend the life of a plant ?

Indeed it does! And it means you have a constant supply of plants to sell and/or trade.

[ncapensis]

Thank you for your informative replies , helps a great deal.
I'll buy in Europe and will look at the preorders. All is complicated by not having a start date yet for The Hague and by not knowing when we will buy and move into a house. I'm thinking of doing a big SVO order in Dec. By tath time we should be in a house.

[euplusia]

My growing experiences:
A large number of Catasetum species live for decades when treated well. But there are species from Central Amazonia that may cause trouble. And longifolium has a reputation of being difficult.
Mormodes tezontle grows well for 15 years or longer for me. But many Mormodes species are a challenge - especially when imported as mature plants.
Cycnoches may suffer from low temps during wintertime - they are also more challenging.
Clowesias are among the easiest to grow over decades.
Dresslerias die if treated as Catasetums. They want warmth and humidity year round. A dry rest period kills them immediately.

[ncapensis]

Thanks for the reply. We will start our stay in the Netherlands in Aug. I'm looking for a house with a large greenhouse , failing that I guess growing under lights until I can build one will have to do . Thank you for the informative post . I hope we can talk on the phone and or meet up at some point as I have a lot to learn. My wife is half German and speaks German and French. We have many friends in Germany and other parts of the EU . I speak very bad french and that's about it :-) .
I have no idea what Catasetum and such are available in Europe but I'm sure I will find out with some help.
Thanks again
Steve