Seeking advice on young catasetinae hybrids

[Roberta]

Mine are extremely variable about starting dormancy... I don't stop watering until leaves drop (rather than trying to force dormancy this early) unless they perversely stay "awake" into December, then I start to force the issue. But especially with young plants grown under conditions different than yours, I would suggest letting the plant tell YOU when it is ready go dormant.

[SillyKeiki]

Thank you, Roberta and isurus79 for your helpful advice. I agree with you both.

The Jumbo Puff and the Millennium Magic have finished their growth for this season. Their most recent growth is huge compared to the previous one, the leaves are even starting to turn yellow at the base. I will continue to watch over them, watering with tap water from time to time until the leaves drop, then let then go dry.

The Wine Delight is still in growth mode, completely. There are even leaves in the crown that haven't finished unfurling. I will continue to water and fertilize this one until it finishes the cycle, which will be later than the rest, but it's fine. I can handle it.

I am already in love with the little guys.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I would suggest letting the plant tell YOU when it is ready go dormant.

Two things:

1. The yellow color at the base of the leaves indicates two plants are going dormant as I type this. Hence my suggestion.
2. Forcing dormancy is a reliable and successful way to grow these plants, assuming the newest bulbs are mature. Don’t be afraid to dirty with Catasetinae. They don’t mind a bit.

[SillyKeiki]

That's good to know. Useful to not have them go off-season (within reason).

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by SillyKeiki

That's good to know. Useful to not have them go off-season (within reason).

And to save space. See my post on this topic here: Catasetum trimming time!

[SillyKeiki]

Hello again, fellow orchid enthusiasts!

Small update on my little round boys:

Cycnodes Jumbo Puff 'Taiyoung' (left) and Monnierara Millenium Magic 'Witchcraft' (right). They finished their growth season, lost all their leaves, and I gradually stopped watering.



Cycnodes Wine Delight 'JEM' is a naughty off-season boy who is still growing and ripping his T-shirts while getting his chubbs. What to do. I'll have to bear with him.

[Roberta]

I'd continue to water, with reduced frequency at least for the next month. But with those new roots, looks like it is skipping or shortening the dormancy step (young plants may do that) If you're going to repot, do it now (or yesterday) . Then, if the larger growth shows any sign of slowing down you can stop the watering. The new growth (from those new roots) may start showing - but does not want much water until those new roots are much longer and the new growth is well developed

[SillyKeiki]

The JEM looks like he's totally skipping dormancy. Are you sure I should repot now? Yes, those are new roots, but that growth already had a few before those, and I'm afraid those previous roots might be unhappy with the repot. It's a young plant and I don't want to rush over and commit errors that might set the orchid back.

[Roberta]

Repot now, or wait until next year (when it'll be crowded, but that's OK) You don't want to repot when roots are well established. You can just up-pot (don't try to remove old medium) - put in a slightly larger pot, add some small bark around it, and let it go. Then it will have room for the new growth (which, if happy, will be larger than the current one) but you won't disturb any roots that have already developed.

[SillyKeiki]

Okay, thank you Roberta. I will do it right now. I even had the pots prepared and the media ready.