Catamodes Black Magic 'Bordeaux' care

[mcmulholland]

This is my first post, though I have read a number of them that I reached via Google searches. I debated whether to post this here or in Potting and Repotting; please forgive me if this is the wrong place.

I was buying another orchid from orchids.com (from whom I will not buy again, but that is another story), and I always look to buy at least two orchids at a time to make shipping more efficient. I looked around for a second orchid to buy, and found Catamodes Black Magic 'Bordeaux'. I have many orchids of a variety of types, but this is my first Catasitinae.

I have been researching Catasitinae with great interest. One of the first things I found is that I should not be watering now, but the vendor chose to water before sending, and as it is in moss it has been taking its time to dry out. It has two pseudobulbs, one very small and the other about 6 inches tall. It is growing in a flexible plastic "pot" that is about 3.5 inches across at the top.

I have two questions. One is whether I should repot now, and if so into how large a pot, as it seems to me that the pot it is in is not large enough to accomodate the large amount of new growth that I have been led by my research to expect.

The other is how to tell when to start watering. Fred Clarke's article "Catasetinae Plant Culture" from Orchids May 2007, which I found on the AOS website, says when the new roots are about 3 to 5 inches long. I may be able to see that in the current transparent pot, but in general that won't be so easy to see. A post by brsucculents in a recent thread in this forum gave this rule of thumb: "At least until the new pseudobulb is 3 -4" tall (really that should be roots 3" long but you can't see the roots)." I don't know whether he meant for Catasetinae in general or just the Monn. Millennium Magic being discussed in the thread.

Any help with these two questions would be much appreciated!

[isurus79]

Welcome to OB!

First- I would pull the plant out of the pot to allow quicker drying.

Second- brsucculents' rule won't work for all Catasetinae because 3-4" bulb might be a fully sized growth or just a tiny nubbin, depending on the cross/species.

[estación seca]

It is hard to learn not to water these as soon as new roots grow.

I've heard Fred Clarke speak on growing Catasetinae. He said he believes they lose 90% of their roots each dormancy, so each year's growth depends on the roots that form each spring, before the growth forms or matures. The new growths elongate and develop very rapidly. They need a big, healthy root system to absorb enough water and nutrients in a short period of time. Fred thinks too-early watering makes the plant stop or slow new root formation, and if this happens without an adequate root system, this year's growth will be poor.

You will see the roots emerging from the base of the latest growth. Many will grow over the surface so they will be easy to measure. You really do need to measure and not estimate.

[mcmulholland]

Thanks to you both. What about my question about pot size?

[Subrosa]

I like to over pot my Catasetum types, because during the height of growth they can use all the water and nutrients they can get and a bigger pot makes that easier. The downside is that since larger pots stay wetter longer, an over watering mistake early in a plants development is more likely to cause a problem. I like at least a 6" standard clay pot.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by mcmulholland

Thanks to you both. What about my question about pot size?

Originally Posted by Subrosa

I like to over pot my Catasetum types, because during the height of growth they can use all the water and nutrients they can get and a bigger pot makes that easier. The downside is that since larger pots stay wetter longer, an over watering mistake early in a plants development is more likely to cause a problem. I like at least a 6" standard clay pot.

This is probably one group that you can get away with over potting. However, many people do well with normal (think small) pot sizes! It really depends on your conditions and how often you want to water.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by isurus79

This is probably one group that you can get away with over potting. However, many people do well with normal (think small) pot sizes! It really depends on your conditions and how often you want to water.

In my case the added weight helps keep them from blowing over in heavy winds.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

In my case the added weight helps keep them from blowing over in heavy winds.

Ha, that'll do it! I've had plenty of my top heavy orchids go tumbling over