First Catasetum - when should I divide/repot
 

My wonderful husband got me this FDK After Dark "Black Pearl" and I have read pages of stuff on Catasetums, the care page on Sunset Valley, and this forum and I am still unsure what to do next.

My plant is definitely in winter rest, and has 4 bulbs (see below) and there isn't any room in the current pot for a new bulb (I am pretty sure...)

What should I do:

1. Separate it into 2 sets of 2 bulbs now
a. Repot sets (separately) in (dry) potting mix
b. Sit sets in separate dry ceramic pots

2. Leave it alone until it sends up a shoot
a. Repot and separate it into 2 sets of 2 bulbs? (I assume there will be only one shoot, would I only water the set with the new growth?)
b. Repot and leave it alone until next year when (goodness willing) it is 5 resting bulbs?

Thanks so much for your advice. I loved this plant and hope to have other Catasetums in the future....

Great plant, great root system. Basically a small pot is not a big problem for the plant.
I vote for number two. Wait until the new growth starts to grow roots, then repot. Divide it only if you are experienced. If not, leave it undivided and acquire more growing skills.

And of course, you could go back to Fred's website, and write him a note by e-mail. He is quite friendly, and enjoys correspondence.

Take care
Rex

This is exactly what I was going to say.

Read this as well: Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts

I agree w euplasia. You also may be surprised. It may shoot 2 new growths. My dapper dots × Nicholasa talvarez has 2 mid sized ones now. As well as my Frilly doris!

Good luck hope to see beautiful pictures of blooms this year!

If it sprouted two growths, would I then separate it into two pots?

this is how i grow mines (including cycnoches and mormodes)

the trick is to respect their dormant state, DO NOT WATER , humidity is fine, but Again DO NOT WATER. if plant get dehydrated, use a saucer and do not let the plant pot sit directly on the water.

i restart watering once new roots (1,5 cms long) appears, wait for at least 3/4 roots to get to this size, then water every day if you want, and fertilize 2 times a week, (half strength of the recommended dose )

once you see spikes forming up, (Depends on the species), keep the fertilizer, if the plant starts to bloom from non mature pseudobulbs (c. tenebrosum)
if the plant blooms from mature pseudobulbs. cut off fertilizer, and cut water to half.

once the plant is done flowering, cut water to help induce their dormant state, if by any chance another spike start to form , start to water again. just as you did when the other spike were forming.

when it is all done, then let them rest until new growths are back.

At that not a clue. But it would be exciting to have 2 growths and possibly 4 spikes right? Lol. Good luck!

@palm521 you allow roots to be 1-5 centimeters? Interesting. Then 2 of mine are quite ready lol.

Na, I'd first get the knack of growing these guys correctly. A large plant is much more forgiving than a smaller, chopped up one.

The one thing I am sure of here is that I won't water it until I see 4" of new growth. That is made crystal clear by this forum!

What I need to know is when to separate the bulbs! Anyway, I emailed the master (FDK himself!) and I will see what he says and relay it here for the benefit of anyone else curious.