My first catesetum repot or not?

[Rothrock42]

Picked up a Catesetum Penang - my first for this alliance. It is from SVO, but that isn't where I got it. I think the local grower has had it in his greenhouse for at least one year.

It has two back bulbs and some good new growth. I took it out of the pot it was in to check that it had good roots and it looks like it does.



Should I move it up to a slightly larger pot? The tutorials about repotting catesetums that I'm finding are for when the bulbs are just coming out of dormancy. But I assume the process would be about the same?

I was planning on using the clear pot -- which I realize I should have put the old pot inside to show the size difference, d'oh. But maybe you can still get an idea? About an inch bigger across and a bit taller.

I was planning to put some rocks in the bottom to help with the weight and pack some presoaked, good quality sphagnum around the outside.

Other than that any tips or advice on making this baby grow?

[estación seca]

The pot is only there to support the plant. More important than a different pot would be giving it enough water and fertilizer. If you think you can give it enough of both in the current pot, why repot at the wrong time of year?

[Rothrock42]

Thanks for the advice. I can put it back in the pot it was in. Maybe add some rocks to the bottom to help counter balance it.

On another front I'm debating whether to take it to work or keep it at home. At work I have a larger window and it will get more light, but the air is drier and the temperature is more stable around 70 -- although I'm not sure about a night time drop since I think they shut off the air conditioning. And of course there is the Saturday and Sunday dry spell.

At home there is more of a day night spread in temperature and higher humidity. Still a lot of light, but not quite as much.

[estación seca]

Catasetums are different from a lot of other orchids. Most New World orchids are from higher elevations, or coastal lowland areas, that experience night-time temperature drops. But a lot of Catasetum are from inland, low elevation areas that are hot and sticky-wet all summer long, day and night.

In Portland, they will want as much direct sun shining on their leaves as possible for as long as possible each day.

They prefer the highest humidity possible. Mine have grown OK in the 40%-60% range, and I get flowers, but their leaves aren't as big as I see in photos of those grown in more humidity.

They like warm to hot nights. They don't need a day-night temperature swing. I started growing them after hearing Fred Clarke of SVO speak to our club, telling us they should do really well here in Phoenix, because without hot summer nights they don't reach their full potential.

They like their roots constantly wet when in active growth, and they like very heavy fertilizing.

You've probably seen the cultivation information on the SVO Web site. I reread it all the time.

[isurus79]

Typically you want to repot these guys early in the growing cycle so as not to hurt the roots. It doesn't appear to need a bigger pot. However, if you simply pot up and just add media (without trimming any roots), I think you might be ok. Personally, I'd wait until next season to repot.

I'd send it to wherever you can give it the most light. As mentioned previously, a day-night temp differential isn't critical for this group but they do love high humidity!

[Rothrock42]

It's been about two months since I potted up. I just couldn't stand the non-clear pot, plastic pot and it wasn't weighted so I'm sure I would have just knocked it over all the time.

I put some rocks in the bottom of a pot that was about an inch bigger around, left the existing rootball alone, and packed some sphag around the outside. Later a drilled some extra holes around the sides to help with draining and aeration. And it looks like I'm getting a bloom spike.



There is some good new root growth to that isn't really visible in the picture. I think we're going to be okay. Thanks for the advice everybody.

[Rothrock42]

Either because or in spite of the repotting it has bloomed.



In the mornings it smells of camphor, nutmeg, and anise. Actually quite nice and when I come back into my apartment I can smell it the moment I walk in the door -- about 30 feet away.

[isurus79]

Beautiful!! I'm glad you were able to get this one to bloom!

[AvantGardner]

Woohoo! Nice one! Good instinctual growing. Always follow your gut

[Pattywack]

Wow how beautiful! Congratulations