Fredclarkeara After Dark 'SVO Black Pearl' early stage care

[Manu]

Originally Posted by katrina

How low at night? It's going to grow faster at warmer temps but it doesn't need super warm to be ok. They do grow faster in the warmer end of intermediate to hot temps though.

A constantly warm temp will help support growth but it's not necessary. In nature there is a natural difference between day and night and as long as the night time temp doesn't get too cold, the plants do great.

My space (this time of the year) can go as low as 58 at night and as high as 80 during the day. All my Ctsm grow very well. Even my compots this past winter.

Lowest night temps would be more or less 55 F but at this time of year it's more around 60-65.

[estación seca]

Frer Clarke told our society Catasetums should do well here because they're one of the few orchid genera that enjoy hot summer nights.

[derv88]

Originally Posted by Manu

OK that's great thanks... I did see the adult care sheets... however was confused about the keep dry part... didn't make sense for a small plant with not many reserves! What about light? Is direct morning sun tolerated or recommended or indirect is better? Is a night time temperature drop good as well?

Did you see the name of the author on the care sheet? Is it a coincidence his name is Fred Clarke?

[derv88]

Even though I thankfully answered my own stupid question above, I have another question.

My Fredclarkeara's leaves are yellowing - in MAY! I have been playing around with my grow spaces and lighting, but was carefully monitoring the light the catasetum is receiving which is in the Cattlea range, and watering every day or every other day.

What should my next actions be?
-Jack

[Manu]

Originally Posted by derv88

Even though I thankfully answered my own stupid question above, I have another question.

My Fredclarkeara's leaves are yellowing - in MAY! I have been playing around with my grow spaces and lighting, but was carefully monitoring the light the catasetum is receiving which is in the Cattlea range, and watering every day or every other day.

What should my next actions be?
-Jack

Turning a bit yellow, like the tips? Or yellow want's to fall off? A picture would help... maybe too much light? My FDK old leaves are yellowing and falling but I also have new growths coming out... is your yellow leaves on new or old bulbs?

I'm more of a Phal and oncidium guy... this is my first year growing catasetum and fdk... my FDK are in full growth and doing great, all other catasetums also, getting direct light till noon then lots of indirect light and lots of air movement, water every other day and fert once per week at half dose... this works for me thus far but your conditions might be very different..

[derv88]

Here's a current pic and one when I bought it. The lower leaf in the near ground appears yellow, but that's a reflection from a HPS bulb nearby. The other leaves are depicted true to real life, one lead has a yellowed edge and is starting to curl (heat damage?) and the other leaves are showing yellow streaks.

[jcec1]

Have you checked for red spider mite? I usually notice yellowing leaves before I see them. I believe Catasetums are prone to RSM.

[derv88]

OH my GOSH!! I do see things moving on the underside of the leaves! yellow very small things crawling around, the leaves are so covered in sap it's hard to focus but YES.

Question is, now what? And, should I quarantine this plant from the others while I figure out if it's treatable?

[estación seca]

SPIDER MITES!!! The bane of Catasetums. They can kill a plant in a few days. They enjoy warm, dryish low-humidity conditions. They are too small to be seen by most people, but they weave thin, silvery webs on the leaves, usually the undersurfaces.

Spray with isopropyl alcohol immediately. Be sure to spray both upper and lower surfaces. There is already a lot of damage so you may lose most of the leaves. You will need to continue alcohol spraying every 3-5 days for two weeks. You also need to look for them on neighboring plants and treat those plants.

People who grow plants susceptible to spider mites need to be proactive; it's pretty much impossible to rid growing areas of spider mites. Wipe leaf undersurfaces with a damp paper towel. Look for red squashed bug streaks.

[derv88]

dilute or straight 70% Isopropyl?