Clowesetum unexpected growths after domancy

[orchidhope]

New to Clowesetum (Catesetum+Clowesia) orchids, bought right when going dormant, leaves dropped as expected, withheld water since December 1 and from online help understood I was to water when new growth appeared, and two new growths just appeared that I thought were roots but they have what looks like bloom -type heads on them totally unlike those depicted in videos that look like Cattelya or Dendrobium fresh green shoots with closed layered leaf tips. I am confused as I don't know what I am looking at so not sure if I am to repot and resume watering start feeding or not. Just saw a help video last night of someone in hot Florida that said he was going to start watering April 28, that Memorial Day is pretty much his start watering day each year for his Catasetums after dormancy. Which means mine has only been dormant maybe 45 days and I shouldn't have watered with these two new growths. Any clarification with what I am seeing and how to proceed would be so appreciated.

[Roberta]

It looks like Clowesia is being dominant in the bloom cycle - Some Clowesias (like rosea and its hybrids) bloom while completely dormant. (In spike now) New growth will start after blooming in a couple of months. So keep dry... they bloom while they're "asleep", maybe dreaming of pollination.
What is the exact cross?

You can't go by the calendar... observe your plants. Watering starts when roots are 3-4 inches long (and the new growth starts to open out). Catasetinae don't all go dormant at the same time, and they don't come out of dormancy all a the same time either. The schedule varies depending on the parent species, and also temperature. (They may get going earlier in south Florida)

[StephaneL]

Those are flower spike. Some Catasetinae, particularly Clowesias, bloom during the dormant period. This does not indicate the end of the dormant period, and you should not resume regular watering at this point.

Some people advocate for a totally dry dormant period; I am less strict than that with mine. If the old pseudobulbs shrink significantly before the new growths have roots, I give them a small watering. Once the new growths have started producing roots, I wait until the roots reach the bottom of the pot or the old pseudobulbs are totally depleted before restarting to water normally. Here in Southern California this is usually at the end of May or in June.

[orchidhope]

Roberta, I do look at every orchid as an individual and treat according to what I see and feel.

Interesting this online orchid seller advertised this as a Clowesetum, but replied to my request about parentage with this: "initial parents would be Clowesia warczewitzii and Clowesia rosea 50/50."

So how is this a clowesetum when both parents are Clowesia?

So you were spot on with the apparent Clowesia Rosea influence and thank you so much for the insight. And same to StephaneL - a lot to learn about these. And Roberta you had written before that Clowesia tend to bloom in winter, completely dormant.

Ok here is my next critical question to see if I have messed up this plant irretrievably (although I find most are quite hardy.). Watching online videos, I was realizing after dormancy all roots in the existing medium are dead so to be cut away before repotting. Seeing these two new growths put me in that frame of mind, but then realizing they were not roots and I had already watered and probably shouldn't have, the medium and old roots were quite wet, so I removed all medium and cut away the existing old roots, staying well away from the new bud growths and potted it in dry sphagnum to remove the water source. So I am hoping the new growths will start roots and I am reading to wait until they reach 2 to 4" before potting up. One article did say when any new growths reach 1 1/2" which my two are to begin regular watering and feeding and they are heavy feeders but there are no roots yet so I think I should wait until I see roots.

Do I just wait and see? The bulbs are nice and fat and firm but after removing the soggy medium and old roots the new growths are looking weakened & disturbed. I guess I should just leave it to do its thing and recover but if there is something I should do to help it along please let me know. Thanks!

[Roberta]

It is definitely a Clowesia not a Clowesetum (which would be Clowesia x Catasetum).

It would have been better to not cut roots... the prior year's roots are less efficient than new ones but do help keep the plant hydrated. However, the new growth will produce new roots, so the setback is probably temporary - it's just being forced to depend on reserves more, so a little shriveling is to be expected. One of the great features of Catasetinae is that they reinvent themselves every year. New growths won't happen for awhile... my Cl. Rebecca Northen (75% Cl rosea) is producing spikes like crazy, not a leaf in sight. New growth will just start to appear while blooming is happening. So don't try to rush it. Once those new growths get big enough 2-3 inches at least, (the growths are a good "secondary indicator" since you usually can't see the roots) you can start watering, lightly at first. As they get bigger (like somewhere around May, probably) you can increase the water and start fertilizing. Patience - it is soooo tempting to start watering when you see new growth. Nope...(Hide the watering can and put your hands in your pockets.) Once my Catasetinae really get going (around June), I give them a "top dressing" of time release fertilizer (like Nutricote or Osmocote) along with the regular liquid fertilizing so I don't have to mix up a separate batch of fertilizer for just those heavy feeders. (I do the same for the Cymbidiums) But be patient. This isn't going to happen until next spring.

Take a look at Winter Catasetum Care.pdf - Google Drive When Fred distributes his Spring Care sheet I'll post it, to show the the "waking up" progression. Or sign up for the SVO mailing list and you'll get all the newsletters.

[orchidhope]

I'm getting so much better at restraint and not pushing it so thanks for the reminder to stay the course.

Your notes are being added to this orchid's care page in my binder of orchids - 40+ but mostly the more common supermarket kind, although I did get another Vanda for Christmas and I'm enjoying learning that each has their own specific care requirements and are definitely NOT one size fits all.

Thanks so very much for your help