Help with Fredclarkeara seedling and other cats
 

Hello, so I just bought a seedling Fredclarkeara from our local orchid show. Now, I have a Catasetum, and I'm reasonably familiar with the culture *at least I think.

My question is that this plant is already being watered, and I was told to keep it well watered, even though the new growth is super tiny and has no new roots.

Is Fredclarkeara different culture than most cats? Or is it the fact that it's a seedling that matters?

I've also attached pics of my other cats, who I'm currently keeping dry until their roots have grown bigger/the growth begins to leaf out.

Thanks for your information and advice.

You're doing the right thing with the older ones.

As for the young one... you're stuck. You have to water and fertilize. There is no big, old reserve pseudobulb to support the new growth.

Ok excellent, I just wanted to make sure I didn't kill it via overwatering :D

I'd heard that Cats will die if you water them incorrectly.

They need to be dry during dormancy. They need to be wet and heavily fertilized while in active growth.

Ok, so since the Fredclarkeara is young and in active growth, water it frequently.

The older ones, I need to wait on because they have bigger pseudobulbs which let them go farther without watering?

Why exactly do we wait on watering the older cats when they are in active growth like mine are? Is it something to do with withholding water to encourage extra root growth?

The best thing for you to do would be to read the cultivation information on the Web site of the guy who produced this hybrid, Fred Clarke at Sunset Valley Orchids (SVO.)

Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts

Look in the top menu for Orchid Culture. Then click on Catasetinae.

You can also drool over all the other hybrid seedlings he has for sale.

Keep in mind that the presence of wet media inhibits root growth, which is why you don't want to water until the roots are looooooong and numerous. Back bulbs store tons of energy.

This! Could you explain that? How/Why does wet media inhibit root growth?

Great question! Unfortunately, only Mother Nature can answer that. Its just what Catasetinae are adapted to.

Early watering is one of the quickest way to kill this group.