Black pearl - waiting or watering period
 

Hi, happy father's day to all fathers here.

long time reader, first time participant.

I got these black pearl catasetums, could not see any new growth of roots. just wondering if they are still in the waiting period for watering.
1. I have read postings here regarding that a minimum of 3" roots before watering. no new roots that I could see as of yet. i suppose i need to still wait? the "gas tank" is a bit shriveled, i am concerned.
2. I want to check around the area but i have also read that do not disturb the roots - i have just removed the clear pot and added leca around them when I got them.


i have had them for more than 3 weeks now, and did not water yet.

just trying to make sure that what I am doing is correct. these are my first catasetums, please help.

First, welcome

Based on the size of those new growths, I have to suspect that there are some nice roots hiding in the medium. If these were my plants I'd start watering and fertilizing. I'd let some of our other Catasetum growers weigh in, though...

Hi Roberta,

thanks for the welcome and for your input. I also have the same assumption regarding the roots. I am just not yet that confident as this is my first two catasetums.

thanks again.

If your growing area is warm - and the medium is warm, which would also mean warm roots and warm plant etc ....... then watering (in moderation ----- ie. don't go overboard with watering to begin with) is not going to harm your plant in any way - regardless of root length.

In the TROPICS over here (where I am) ------ my catasetum type plants --- some of them - are just coming out of dormancy. I just lightly spray water into the media ----- and the roots are even longer than the new growths. My growing area is warm.

I even have a baby size Fdk. Midnight Lace sprouting new growth - and I've been spraying water into the media for that one too. And the growth is just getting larger and larger.

One potential issue for relatively COLD climate places is ----- I think that low temperature can cause issues with the roots. I don't know whether or not the cold temperature strictly impacts relatively young roots negatively ----- or whether the cold (plus wet) also impacts long roots. But - in any case - a rule-of-thumb method that seems to work well for cold climate regions is ----- the 'wait until X units of length long for roots before watering' method.

In the tropics here ----- where I am ----- I know for sure that the 'wait until X units of length' method is not needed at all. Although - I do recommend that method for cold climate places.

Here's an example ----- in the tropics ----- the roots were actually longer than the new growth to begin with. And now they're about the same length. Nothing bad at all happens when I water this plant and a bunch (actually all) of other ones - coming out of dormancy.

SP. last time I checked, Canada was not particularly tropical. The OP's plants are doing what they normally do in the temperate northern hemisphere in late spring. Since they were only acquired three weeks ago, the roots probably had progressed beyond the initial emergent stage before the plants were acquired, so likely are hidden down in the medium. The appearance of the new growths indicates that the plants are well on their way, indicating that it's time to water them.

Roberta ------ when I mentioned 'warm' ----- it means that if the growing area is warm - such as we supply energy to the growing area for heating etc ----- regardless of whether it is snowing outside or not, then the catasetum type orchid will be just fine if watered when coming out of dormancy. It also requires a suitable amount of light obviously.

For cold climate countries - for catasetum type plants grown without temperature compensation (heaters, automatic climate control etc), and if the plant gets relatively cold, then the rule-of-thumb (wait for X inches) method should be followed.

I totally agree with you in that this orchid can certainly be watered now - at this stage.

hi south park, thanks for your input. it is currently in a warm place, not as warm a your location though. Toronto is now lurking at around 24 degrees Celsius. I'm planning to place it outside, by the vegetable garden. that is when i can water them down. Again, thanks for your input.

KB - you're most welcome. 24 degrees Celcius sounds good! Fdk. After Dark orchids (including 'SVO Black Pearl') will handle direct sun ...... so gradually sun-harden it if not yet done, and those ochids will do excellently in full sun.

I'd say you can start watering again. That plant with the shriveled bulbs are just about out of juice and should probably be watered soon!

FYI - 24C is not particularly warm for these guys, unless you mean that's the nighttime low temperature. Maybe bring them in at night? I'd also put them in very bright light, if possible.

---------- Post added at 11:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:53 AM ----------

Also, here is a good guide for folks growing in temperate conditions: Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts