trying to wake-up a struggling catasetum

[rymor]

Hey all-

I'm having a bit of trouble waking up one of my catasetum primary hybrids that I almost lost last season. Plant is tiny now. 3 pseudobulbs, under 2" in height and it is still dormant. It looks to have a green/swollen eye at the base of the recent growth.

Any way to encourage this to start to grow out? The older bulbs are starting to shrivel up and become squishy.

Thanks

[estación seca]

Increase the humidity and warmth. I would spritz it with a little water, not soak it.

[isurus79]

Ya, there's not much more you can do than what estacion mentioned. Is it in an area where it gets natural day length?

[Subrosa]

Artificially increasing the length of the photoperiod could give it a kick.

[Regelian]

You didn't mention the parentage. This may be key. For most Catasetum the increasing temperatures bring the new growth, some much more so than others. C. pileatum crosses tend to be forgiving and come quickly into growth, while those of C. tigrinum or crosses with Clowesia are very particular and patiently wait for the right condition, then they really spring forth.

Jamie

[bil]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Increase the humidity and warmth. I would spritz it with a little water, not soak it.

Interesting. I had a couple of bulbs that were very slow, including a Jumbo Puff that had had the entire base amputed to save it from rot.

So I wrapped them all in a wet flannel, put them in a black pot with a lid and left it in the 50% sun of the greenhouse for three days. I made sure no light got into it in case that would reset photoperiod.
After cooking for three days, took them out and they sprouted very quickly. The JP put out 3 shoots, but aborted two which was a pain.

[rymor]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've placed the bulbs in a pot in a ziplock bag for humidity in a warm/bright window.

We shall see what happens.

Parentage is a primary cross between 2 cat denticulatum parents.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by rymor

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've placed the bulbs in a pot in a ziplock bag for humidity in a warm/bright window.

We shall see what happens.

Parentage is a primary cross between 2 cat denticulatum parents.

Sounds like you made an oven!! Keep an eye out you don't cook the plant.

Bil used flannel, so I'm assuming that allowed enough air flow not to overheat the plant.

[bil]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Sounds like you made an oven!! Keep an eye out you don't cook the plant.

Bil used flannel, so I'm assuming that allowed enough air flow not to overheat the plant.

No, it was wrapped in a wet flannel, but then put in a black plastic flowerpot upside down. It got quite hot.