Catasetum - To water or not to water ?

[orchidsarefun]

Noticed today that the pod dehisced. I pollinated on 30 November 2016, so that makes about 3 1/2 months to mature/dehisce. ( the pod is visible in an earlier photo )
I don't know if there is any seed, I can't tell. The contents are a lot different to other pods I've had, no 'fluff'. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

[orchidsarefun]

"A" shows typical rapid growth. The 3rd nubbin has done nothing. This growths are about 8in long now. I continue to water at least 1x per week.
"B" is also growing rapidly, although 1 nubbin is stalled.


B


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[orchidsarefun]

Conclusions
In MY conditions watering during dormancy kickstarted early and vigorous growth. Roots continued to grow inside and outside the pot - see photos to back that up. I'll update in a few months with pics, suffice to say that my expectations are high regarding growth and blooms.
I'm now going to try this with pileatums I have that are in full dormancy.

I'm also leaning towards the view that external roots have more to do with plant stabilisation purposes, than searching for moisture.

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[orchidsarefun]

B on the left ( later watering, but before roots were 3-4 inches long )
A shows phenomenal growth - a good start to a Chicago season. Only problem is that it's already taking up a lot of space.


Roots B


Roots A


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Still watering 1x per week, but over roots too.
That is a time-release formula I added. I still fertilise but not as regularly when they are outdoors and I think that the TR fertiliser makes up for that.

[orchidsarefun]

The ruler illustrates my problem. The growths are well over 12 inches long and the problem is getting enough sun to the plants as the weather is still too cold to place them outdoors. I'm not complaining, it's the best problem to have this early in the grow season.


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[orchidsarefun]

I've moved them outdoors during the day as temps have increased here.You can see the size - really lush leaves. That will soon change being exposed to wind, sun and rain.

( photo when tapatalk back ! )

[orchidsarefun]

Photo updates

[orchidsarefun]

These are a couple of backbulbs that I potted up and early watered when growths about 1/2 inch. They've been outdoors, rained on.

[orchidsarefun]

I took a look at my records. These bloomed last year late November after being outdoors all Summer.
This year the bulbs are already fattening up/maturing so it's going to be interesting to see when they spike. Is it the weather, as in cooler, that promotes spiking or does it happen after bulbs mature and that usually coincides with cooler weather? I sort of know the answer but will wait for confirmation. It would be great if these lost all their leaves by the time I have to bring them indoors.
I have 20 Catasetinae that will need space. All of these were watered prior to the "wait until roots are 3-5 inches" generally accepted rule.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

I took a look at my records. These bloomed last year late November after being outdoors all Summer.
This year the bulbs are already fattening up/maturing so it's going to be interesting to see when they spike. Is it the weather, as in cooler, that promotes spiking or does it happen after bulbs mature and that usually coincides with cooler weather? I sort of know the answer but will wait for confirmation. It would be great if these lost all their leaves by the time I have to bring them indoors.
I have 20 Catasetinae that will need space. All of these were watered prior to the "wait until roots are 3-5 inches" generally accepted rule.

I'm curious to see if you get another growth coming from this since its still relatively early in the growing season.