Catasetum observations
 

Going into my third season growing Catasetinae and holding back watering for a majority of them yet. Have been observing carefully this year after reading increasingly the importance of waiting to water until the new roots are well established.

Observation 1- Some plants throw off very actively growing roots that quickly wrap themselves around the pot. most of these were quick to reach the bottom of the pot and are now being water.

Observation 2- Others are a bit stubborn. They send off a bunch of new roots, the roots grow a bit with a large active root tips and then stall- the green tip shrinking substantially in size. The growth also stalls- these are just starting to barely unfurl their leaves now. Some to significant old bulb shrinkage.

I took a plant that had stalled and gave it a drink and within two days, the root tips had reactivated to a large growing tip again and growth has made noticeable movement.

I find that the seedlings/younger plants tend to fall in the 2nd category, while my older plants fall into the 1st. Perhaps this stalling is due to less stored energy in the older growth (as it is a smaller plant?). Any insight into why some plants stall their roots like that before any water is added?

That’s a million dollar question right there! I suspect you’re on the right track with the idea larger plants have more energy to spend on root growth.

Interesting observation. Not sure about the less energy idea though. The reason is ...... if just adding water re-activates, then that's probably not going to be entirely related to not having enough stored energy.