Post bloom care

[RoseSD]

What is the proper care for a post-bloom compact Catt?

[Roberta]

As opposed to???? Post bloom is no different than any other time. What does the plant need? Were you thinking of repotting? Don't do it unless it is starting to grow new roots, unless the mix is really bad. Otherwise, other than removing dead flowers, just take care of the plant normally. What do you see that needs to be done?

[RoseSD]

Cutting off the spike at the base, decrease watering?

[Roberta]

Why would you decrease watering? Catts need to dry out between waterings, but that is the case all the time - blooming, not blooming, Just routine care. As for the old spike? Just an aesthetic issue. I mostly don't bother to cut anything until I'm cleaning the plant up later (old dead sheaths and brown spikes are ugly)

Catts don't need any particular change of care through their cycle. Growing, blooming or not, just give them proper care the whole time. No special post-partum treatment.

[RoseSD]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Why would you decrease watering? Catts need to dry out between waterings, but that is the case all the time - blooming, not blooming, Just routine care. As for the old spike? Just an aesthetic issue. I mostly don't bother to cut anything until I'm cleaning the plant up later (old dead sheaths and brown spikes are ugly)

Catts don't need any particular change of care through their cycle. Growing, blooming or not, just give them proper care the whole time. No special post-partum treatment.

For phal they advise cutting off spikes to allow more.energy to feed roots and the plant. Is it not the case for Catt?

[Roberta]

It's not true of Phals... as long as the spike is green, I leave it since the plant can "recycle" the tissue and energy. Cutting the Phal spike is purely an aesthetic decision... if you don't like the look of the bare spike then cut it, but as long as its green it benefits the plant. As for Catts, the spike actually isn't usually even that big... once the flowers drop, it is pretty insignificant.

It's amazing... in nature there is nobody to cut off old spikes or ugly leaves or shriveled pseudobulbs, and the plants thrive anyway. In other words, observe you plants rather than constantly intervening. See what they do naturally. If you see a problem, address it. But otherwise, learn to leave your plants alone a bit more.

[RoseSD]

Clearly opinions on spike care is mixed. Thank you for sharing your method!

[rbarata]

I only cut them when dry, even if I know they won't bloom again from it.

[Roberta]

Another good reason to wait for old spikes to dry up before cutting... hygiene is less of an issue... if the spike is dry and dead (no live connection to the plant) you don't need to be so concerned to sterilize the cutting tool since the cut of a dead, dry section will not be a route for pathogens that might get into the plant,

[Dimples]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Another good reason to wait for old spikes to dry up before cutting... hygiene is less of an issue... if the spike is dry and dead (no live connection to the plant) you don't need to be so concerned to sterilize the cutting tool since the cut of a dead, dry section will not be a route for pathogens that might get into the plant,

I’ve been musing over this very idea for a few days every time I see the partially dry spike on one of my phals. I’d imagine scissors/pruners/etc. could still pick up some types of durable communicable diseases from the dead tissue but not being able to infect living tissue is a very good reason to wait to cut spent spikes until they’re dry and crispy. #lazyforthewin