time to water this Catasetum?
 

I picked up this little Fredclarkeara a couple months ago while it was still dormant. It started growing a week later and this is where it is at now. Technically, the longest root that I can see is only ~2 inches, but considering the size of the growth relative to the old bulbs is it, perhaps, time to start watering? I have not measured it regularly, but I would say that growth has slowed over the last week or two.

I've combed through some Catasetum advice (including a nice PDF from Sunset Valley Orchids that I found here) but many of the examples seem to be for larger plants and I wonder if the specifics need adjustment. Also, this is my first plant of the alliance so I could use the extra help.

Following this to see what experienced catasetum growers have to say. I'm not. Have five, one bloomed last year, and I'm on my second season of growing.

I have two I started to water a little. One of them had roots about the length of yours, and I experimented by watering a little bit in opposite corner from where new growth is. A week later, and watered a bit again. It seems to be doing fine.

A question from me as well. The medium in LobotomizedGoat's pot looks like it will be hard to keep watered enough? My understanding is they need LOTS of water when in growth. Mine are planted in a SH type container, LECA up to the top of reservoir, then LECA/bark/sphag, with final top layer being sphag.

Don't necessarily listen to me LG... :waving ... I'm here for the knowledge. :biggrin:

It's time to start watering. If that is a normal size adult hand for reference, I don't think that is a small plant at all. The SVO material is the Gold Standard reference for these plants. The subject plant is named after the SVO founder.

Those back bulbs look like they're just about out of juice, so I'd start watering. Try to keep this one hot (outside maybe?) and you can water it every day so it doesn't dry out. If you get it outside, you might want to put a small dish underneath to hold water.

You were right to ask. Its a tough call but I agree its time for a little high quality h2O

Thanks for the replies!

Hmmm... this week my balcony has been between high 80's and low 60s (average 73.9). Indoors, where it currently lives, has been high 70s to high 60s (average 73.6). Would putting it outside make a difference in this case? I can place it in shade outside, but unless it can take full sun for almost the first half of the day it will probably get a higher DLI inside from the grow lights (based on some reed stem epis I've had in both locations).

I would put it outside. The hotter the better. Acclimate it gradually to more and more light. With enough water it will probably eventually take full or nearly full sun.

:agree: