Question about watering Catasetum

[gngrhill]

Hi, all,
I know some of you have seen my post on cooking my orchids a couple of weeks ago. I now have questions about 2 of my Catasetums. The first one, the new growth from this year died right back to the roots. I have been waiting to see if it will put up a new growth. I don't know if I should water some or not at all. I'd hate to kill this years roots, but I know you shouldn't water new growth, so I don't know what to do with that one. The second one had a new growth this year and a bloom spike. the bloom spike died, of course, but now it has started another new growth. Now comes the question again, do I water the established new growth ? Or do I let it go dry until the tiny newer growth starts roots ?
The growth that was new this spring looks ok and the new little guy is growing from the base of that growth.
Thanks all for your patience with these questions.

[fishmom]

For the second one, which has an established growth and a new, mini, growth, I would definitely keep watering. I'd try not to drench the little one, but the big one needs its food and drink.

I'm less sure about the first one, which had its new growth destroyed (ouch!). But once when I lost a new growth to rot, I continued to water lightly, and a subsequent growth developed successfully.

Maybe katrina will chime in; she is much more experienced than I am.

[isurus79]

You could probably keep watering since summer is still in full swing and temps are warm. No need to worry about rot for a few months yet.

Conversely, cutting watering back on both plants until the new roots come in would be a good idea. I would take this approach to prevent new roots from aborting.

[katrina]

Agree w/Isurus.

I've never had one completely die off but if I did...I would continue to water to support the roots. If the roots are healthy and the existing mature growth is strong enough, I suspect you'll get another new growth. I would water lighter though. When you do get a new growth...you could just lightly water around any developing roots. Trying to water the older roots but avoiding (as much as possible) getting the newest ones wet. Also, be very careful about any water getting into the new leaves...they could rot fairly quickly.

The one w/the new growth coming in beside the more mature one...I frequently get new baby growths after the first growth(s) have come in and I continue to water and fert heavily. Usually the newer growths are fine but once in awhile I'll lose one...I don't worry about it because the bigger growth and it's roots are my priority.

One of my most rampant/robust growers makes new growths most of the spring and summer...it's my craziest grower...I continue to water heavily and I rarely lose any of those baby growths. They don't all bloom but they do grow.

[gngrhill]

Thanks guys, that was very helpful. I am trying my best to keep these alive so they will recover and bloom for me maybe next year.