Catasetum pileatum - early watering

[orchidsarefun]

I have repeated my early watering experiment with pileatum. Both bulbs were breaking dormancy.
A - I haven't potted up. Growth is still small. No new root growth.



B - potted up and watering 1× per week. New root growth has started.



As with my other experiment both are grown on windowsill in exactly the same conditions.

I hope to prove that an early start is beneficial - for blooming! Neither of these plants have bloomed before.



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[WhiteRabbit]

cool

[orchidsarefun]

Update on B - rapid root growth ( it's only been a week ), together with new shoot growth.
See photo. It confirms the After Dark results that 'early' watering does not stunt or curtail root growth. A substantial kick start to growth is what any cool climate grower should be looking for.
A - growth slow, less than 1/4 inch. No new root growth.



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[nogreenthumbs]

It's been >2 months. How did this experiment turn out?

[orchidsarefun]

The first plant is growing another pseudobulb ( which is weird ) but it could be due to the weather. It's been outdoors for a while and in that time I was away for 2 weeks, it rained a lot, temps were in the 50's, spidermites attacked and it was crazy windy. Not ideal conditions.
2nd plant in next photo. Growth not as advanced so it's safe to say that there is no 'catch up'.

[isurus79]

Which plant received "normal" treatment and which plant got early watering?

[estación seca]

Every Catsetum or hybrid I have watered early in spring has died in the following winter, or the following new growing season. My only survivors have been the ones I waited to water. However, I have also had plants die before I watered them, when their roots were still short.