Fdk After Dark "Sunset Valley Orchids" - Page 2 - Orchid Board

isurus79 · #11 09-16-2018, 11:12 PM

I cut off most of my plants leaves last year to save space indoors. I had no problems with them this year.

Subrosa · #12 09-17-2018, 12:13 AM

You need to train your plants better! The only reason that plant is 4' across is because it's growing this way, that way and the other way too! If it it had its act together and grew in one direction it would be much more manageable!

orchidsarefun · #13 09-17-2018, 04:21 PM

I'm ok with the growth habit... outdoors. I have other species and hybrids that are easier to maintain upright, Fdk's not so much, especially as they've grown larger.
I'm happy that Isurus79 has had success with leaf removal, I'm definitely going to do so on these Fdk's.

My tabulare is upright but leaf growth is always to get maximum light to foliage. So it still takes up a lot of room and this one has some leaves over 2 feet long.

Subrosa · #14 09-17-2018, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

I'm ok with the growth habit... outdoors. I have other species and hybrids that are easier to maintain upright, Fdk's not so much, especially as they've grown larger.
I'm happy that Isurus79 has had success with leaf removal, I'm definitely going to do so on these Fdk's.

My tabulare is upright but leaf growth is always to get maximum light to foliage. So it still takes up a lot of room and this one has some leaves over 2 feet long.

The plant in the pic I posted is an Fdk After Dark 'Morning After' x Catasetum pileatum 'Green Gold'. It always had this nice upright habit, and now this season it's put out multiple growths that both grew in the same direction. My Midnight Lace sprawls all over like your plant.

orchidsarefun · #15 10-24-2018, 01:33 PM

Pic of one with 2 spikes. The other has 4 spikes, still small. I haven't removed any leaves but with luck the Botanic Garden will take them.

The longer spike has 24 buds, the other maybe 22

Dollythehun · #16 10-24-2018, 07:15 PM

Good heavens. Did you buy a suburb to park that plant!?

orchidsarefun · #17 10-24-2018, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Good heavens. Did you buy a suburb to park that plant!?

Lol....the other one is bigger. All my 2018 catasetum are ginormous.

orchidsarefun · #18 10-24-2018, 09:50 PM

Oh and the bad news is that bringing them indoors has deferred dormancy. Leaves are green and not yellowing at all.

Roberta · #19 10-25-2018, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

Oh and the bad news is that bringing them indoors has deferred dormancy. Leaves are green and not yellowing at all.

It is still pretty early for dormancy... some Catasetinae are starting to lose leaves, but quite a few still have a month or six weeks before they really want to go to sleep...

orchidsarefun · #20 10-25-2018, 09:37 AM

Of all the catasetum I have, these were the only ones showing signs of dormancy when outdoors. I thought that the process would continue when brought indoors but it's proved the opposite. Blooming will still be a month earlier. The bulb is already over 12 inches and surely won't grow larger.
I may take it in for AOS judging. Depends on the size and quality of the blooms.