Still not watering... - Orchid Board

isurus79 · #1 04-22-2016, 10:58 AM

I think the most common questions in this part of the forum usually center around resumption of watering within this group during the spring. Here is my answer: I'll probably wait a few more weeks to begin watering this plants. Notice the shriveled bulbs and roots that are already long. This group is well adapted to such things and are better off not being watered so that a new, extensive root system is well established for the growing year. For whatever reason, water on short roots stops all or most root growth for the year.

Still not watering these Catasetinae... by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Still not watering these Catasetinae... by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

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And the following picture shows a small statured species (as opposed to the large ones in previous pics) that is also still not getting watered, despite the spike its putting out right now. This is Catasetum denticulatum with its first spike.

Still not watering this spiking Catasetum denticulatum. by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

DeaC · #2 04-22-2016, 11:00 AM

Haven't tried these yet but it's a tremendous help to see its progress and determine just when to water according to the appearance and growth.TY!

No-Pro-mwa · #3 04-22-2016, 11:28 AM

Goodness it would be hard for me to not water them. Well maybe not, they are interesting plants.

isurus79 · #4 04-16-2017, 05:26 PM

Might as well update this thread. Notice the long roots and maturing spike in the first pic. Still not watering the following plants:

Still not watering Catasetinae- Ctsm pileatum hybrid by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Still not watering Catasetinae- Ctsm saccatum by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Still not watering Catasetinae- Clo. Grace Dunn by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

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I'll probably give these ones two more weeks to let the roots lengthen and slowly add water with no fertilizer. My other plants are not quite as advanced as these and will likely require another month or more before I introduce water.

smokinjoe1952 · #5 04-17-2017, 01:24 AM

I just acquired 2 Clowesia from SVO. These plants seem to be well beyond the "not watering" stage according to just about everything I have read, and Fred's instructions as to when to begin watering.

Isurus - Could it be that you are not watering, but it certainly would not hurt these plants to begin watering?

Just wondering why you are taking these well past the 3-4" root/ 7-10" growth stage.

Thanks,

SJ

isurus79 · #6 04-17-2017, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokinjoe1952

I just acquired 2 Clowesia from SVO. These plants seem to be well beyond the "not watering" stage according to just about everything I have read, and Fred's instructions as to when to begin watering.

Isurus - Could it be that you are not watering, but it certainly would not hurt these plants to begin watering?

Just wondering why you are taking these well past the 3-4" root/ 7-10" growth stage.

Thanks,

SJ

Hi Joe,
Good question! Catasetinae are extremely well adapted to dry winter conditions. So much so, that water during this time can (and often does) kill members of this group; though some species are more prone to this type of die-off than others. Hence the 3-4" root growth "rule," whereby water is withheld until roots are appropriately long. However, this rule is the bare minimum and merely represents an "all clear"stage where rot is unlikely and the roots are sufficiently long to maintain the plant and provide good growth during the growing season. Root growth significantly slows or even stops when water is applied. Therefore, withholding water longer than bare minimum encourages additional root growth, which in turn, should provide more energy for the plant. New growths will be larger and should give a better (bigger) bloom when the time comes. Its amazing to see how quickly bulbs fatten up once water is applied.

AvantGardner · #7 04-17-2017, 02:52 PM

Nice display of self control! I get paranoid and start watering when I see spikes

bil · #8 04-17-2017, 06:16 PM

Nice piece on this. Seeing those pBulbs so shrivelled is horrifying, and you can really understand why people water too soon. Every fibre of your being feels that it needs watering.
We learn best from seeing someone really take it to the limit, so very many thanks for sharing this.

estación seca · #9 04-17-2017, 06:20 PM

Often, when people see me with a miniature Schnauzer, they ask what's wrong with the dog. I ask what they mean. They say the dog is so skinny it looks sick. I tell them the dog is at the proper weight. Most people in the US don't see a dog at normal weight any more.

smokinjoe1952 · #10 04-17-2017, 07:20 PM

es - Did you mean to say...most dogs in the US don't see people at the proper weight. :-)

So, my 2 new Clowesia are 7.5" and 3.5" tall in new growth. I have then under fairly bright light, and quite humid conditions, but will withhold water for some time. They are in LECA right now. (dry)

The PB's have not even begun to shrivel on either plant.

Thanks from me too for posting this.

SJ