How to start Catasetum from dormant, bareroot bulbs?
 

I've been thinking of getting some sort of Catasetum or related genus for quite a long time now, but was never much inspired by the 'plain' pileatum types I usually see for sale.

An ebay vendor that I sometimes buy from has a impressive selection of Catasetinae for sale lately: yangs.orchids | eBay

I'm aware of the basic culture requirements for these, but if I get one how does one go about establishing a bareroot and dormant plant? What kind of medium does it like? (so I know what to get before buying one). I know these do well in S/H, but I'm thinking that dormancy may not be the best time to start it in that since there's zero root growth.

Any advice is most welcome!

Camille - Welcome to the wonderful,weird and wacky world of the Catasetinae. If buying a plant that is to be shipped it is always best to buy a dormant plant, less possible damage in transport. The bulb will come out of dormancy by it's self. What I do with my dormant plants is remove all the media and stand them upright in a clay pot so that the new growth will start to grow in the crrect direction. Most people are to eager to pot up and start watering plants coming out of dormancy. New growths rot very easily if they get water in the crown. What has been suggested to me by experts in the fields is this: wait until the new growths are at least 3" tall with roots of approx the same length before you pot them up, you can start watering at this point but only lightly, making sure not to get water in the crown of the new growth. The Catasetinae family needs fairly bright growing conditions, copious amounts of water and tons of fertilizer. I pot mine in pure sphagnum moss layered with time released fertilizer and water everyday during the growing season. That works for me but remember everyone's growing conditions and cultural habits are different. As long as you use something that retains moisture so that the don't dry out too heavily you will be fine. I'm not a big fan of S/H growing so you will have to ask someone else about their experiences with it and Catasetinae, I will say this, putting a dormant bulb into S/H before it is actively growing is a sure road to death for the bulb. Good luck, let us know what you wind up buying and of course pictures are always appreciated.

Thanks for all that information, it's very useful!! :) The reason I was thinking of S/H is because Ramon (kavanaru) is a catasetinae addict, and successfully grew all of his that way, until he put them out in his GH. The GH was too cool for the roots so he moved them all back into a standard medium.

But I don't want to take any risks with it, so I think I'll follow your advice. I'll use my standard bark + chopped sphag mix, but using much more sphag than I normally use for the Phals.

Now the trouble is deciding which one to buy!! I'd love to get several since all those for sale are quite hard to come by here, but I'd like to try my hand at only one to start. 20-30€ each is quite a loss if it turns out I kill them all!

---------- Post added at 09:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 PM ----------

Another question; until it start to grow, what sort of temperature is it best to keep it at?

Good growing instructions can be found here:
Sunset Valley Orchids - Grower and hybridizer of quality orchids, Vista CA

Mine are all kept at room temp in the house. I put them outside only when they're established and busy growing with leaves all out ! I'm trying some in s/h this season but most of them will be in pure sphag with leca at the bottom because I keep them all in trays that hold water. I also, like Glen, add timed release fertilizer to the sphag and feed full strength Grow More 20-10-20 frequently while they are growing and until they start to drop their leaves. I have 73 right now but it won't stop there !!! ESPECIALLY with the VOS, MOS, and SEPOS shows right around the corner !!!!!

73 ??!? :faint:
What sort of NPK ratio of time release fert do you mix in?

I think I may have finally picked one out: Clowesia Grace Dunn 'Chadds Ford' AM/AOS
Or maybe Cycnoches Wine Delight J.E.M. FCC/AOS....

I read that Mormodes should be avoided by beginners, but is there a genera easier than others?

Oh boy, someone is addicted! I was looking at these a few weeks ago. They are really cool. I can see why it would be difficult to stop. Sunset Valley is where I was looking...and looking.
Good luck with your first one. I still haven't taken the plunge with these. If I came across one at a show, though....

" 20-30€ each is quite a loss if it turns out I kill them all!"

Camille - That is quite expensive seeing as how we get blooming size seedling over here in the States for around $18.00 and in bloom plant for around $30 to $40 dollars. Good Luck

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Both are good easy choices, the Wine Delight is normally a summer bloomer and the Grace Dunn blooms in the winter during it's dormant period, both have fabulous scents. As to fertilizer I use a balanced one, Dynamite or the like.

Catasetinae are not all that common over here, and usually what I see are some species, especially Catasetum pileatum, or hybrids like Oro Verde (which are usually sold for 15-20€). So in that respect I consider the prices to be fair. And the price range I gave is including shipping costs (which is only a few € anyway), so it could be worse.

Yes, I use Dynamite 13-13-13 Nine month timed release. Glen beat me to it, those are both great choices to start with !!! Grace will be in bloom WITHOUT leaves and Wine will bloom WITH them on. My Wine Delight just started a new growth and Grace isn't in my collection, YET !!! Yes, 73 Catasetum alliance plants !!! Almost half of my whole windowsill-under-lights collection = 169 !!!

How much is that in USD ??