Catasetum Fred Clarkea

[kindrag23]

My catasetum growing cycle is off apperently. It has an almost 5 inch growth now and multiple long roots. The back canes have not shriveled up completely either. Should I hold off a while longer to start the feeding and watering process or repot and start now...we are still going to have some cold weather here apperently before it stays warm for spring and summer. Don't want to lose this one to rot or cold like I have others in the past.

[fishmom]

I suggest you read bil's thread which is on just this topic:
Catasetum new shoots

It is normal for the newer pseudobulbs to stay fat for a couple of years. The decision to water depends on the length of the roots; remember that when you start watering, the roots will stop growing! Six to 8 inches is desirable, to enable the plant to take up the massive amounts of food and water they need to grow a big, healthy new bulb.

[bil]

Originally Posted by fishmom

It is normal for the newer pseudobulbs to stay fat for a couple of years. The decision to water depends on the length of the roots; remember that when you start watering, the roots will stop growing! Six to 8 inches is desirable, to enable the plant to take up the massive amounts of food and water they need to grow a big, healthy new bulb.

Interesting. So are you saying that watering is a cue to stop all roots from that Pbulb? I don't suppose you have links to an article do you? I'd be really interested in learning more.

[fishmom]

Fred Clarke spoke at our orchid society meeting last month, and I am repeating what he said, more or less. I suspect he is simplifying for a mass audience, but he did say that the initial root growth is designed to "seek out" water and that when the roots find it, growth more-or-less stops.

I would bet that it just slows down, but what do I know? Only what I have observed in my own plants. They maintain green tips, so they may be growing slowly, but if Fred says "6 to 8" inches, it is good enough for me.

[bil]

Originally Posted by fishmom

Fred Clarke spoke at our orchid society meeting last month, and I am repeating what he said, more or less. I suspect he is simplifying for a mass audience, but he did say that the initial root growth is designed to "seek out" water and that when the roots find it, growth more-or-less stops.

I would bet that it just slows down, but what do I know? Only what I have observed in my own plants. They maintain green tips, so they may be growing slowly, but if Fred says "6 to 8" inches, it is good enough for me.

Thank you, that's interesting. I'd love to know more so if you come across anything do please tell me. This looks as tho you have to leave them till they have achieved all the roots they need then, not awfully easy to see that in the medium.

[fishmom]

Yes, you are right that it is hard to see. Someone asked that question and Fred's response was that there are usually one or more roots growing across the surface or into the air, so you can gauge the length by the visible root. I'm not sure that this is always true, but I guess that if you are growing thousands of plants, it is not such a fraught decision.

[estación seca]

Sunset Valley Orchids Catasetinae Culture

If you sign up for Fred's newsletter, he sends it out periodically with instructions for what to do at that time of the year with your plants.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by kindrag23

My catasetum growing cycle is off apperently. It has an almost 5 inch growth now and multiple long roots. The back canes have not shriveled up completely either. Should I hold off a while longer to start the feeding and watering process or repot and start now...we are still going to have some cold weather here apperently before it stays warm for spring and summer. Don't want to lose this one to rot or cold like I have others in the past.

Sounds like it might be too late to repot. The roots will snap off if repotting occurs too late. Do you have pics? I'd wait for another month or so before watering.

[bil]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Sunset Valley Orchids Catasetinae Culture

If you sign up for Fred's newsletter, he sends it out periodically with instructions for what to do at that time of the year with your plants.

Thanks, -I'd love to, but for some reason the link doesn't work for me.

[isurus79]

Works for me!