Catasetinae in S/H?

[WaterWitchin]

For what it's worth... Upcoming first year growing them for me. I did a lot of reading here and there, and have been paying a lot of attention here on the board of different member methods for the past couple of years.

Normally, anything and everything I grow goes into SH, unless mounted. It appears PET method is same as SH, except adding organic in the middle. I'm starting with five Ctsm... four hybrids and one fimbriatum. I have the fimbriatum in regular PET method (safer bet for a species until I know more about them). Two of the hybrids are in regular SH (LECA only), one of them SH but adding in the rock wool cubes I've been experimenting with, and one with LECA and above the reservoir line LECA mixed with cypress mulch and alpaca manure finished off with a sphag layer.

I really wanted to try the dead mouse in the middle of one, because I'm willing to try just about anything, but husband put an all-stop to that idea. "Not in our house!" He said me burying fish in the veggie garden was about as far as he could tolerate. He has a much better sniffer than I, so he may have a point.

All five are about the same size, so it should be a fun WaterWitchin non-scientific experiment.

[hypostatic]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

It appears PET method is same as SH, except adding organic in the middle.

PET is certainly very similar to S/H, and very low-maintenance. You can probably even skip out on the organic in the middle, as long as you fertilize sufficiently (which is a lot).

[isurus79]

Yes, I agree that there are a lot of similarities between s/h and PET! I've grown Catasetums both ways and had great success. That said, I like the PET method better due to the availability of nutrients being added from the organic material breakdown.

I do want to point out that many Catasetinae grow in a wet, nutrient rich soup in the wild which makes them perfect for both s/h and PET. While we sort of force (trick?) other orchids into s/h (with great success!), Catasetinae are actually perfectly evolved for such situations.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by hypostatic

PET is certainly very similar to S/H, and very low-maintenance. You can probably even skip out on the organic in the middle, as long as you fertilize sufficiently (which is a lot).

Yeah, the reason I'm doing a few with the organic in the middle is a buddy of mine here does SH, and he said the only problem with Ctsm is they drink down the water REALLY quickly, and when he switched some over to organic middle he could go longer without watering. I figured if the ones that were total LECA based were too high maintenance watering-wise, I could always dump part of the LECA out and throw in an organic middle.

He had some that he was literally having to water every day, and I don't want that much maintenance in summer months. Already too much watering going on then without babysitting a few Ctsm. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

[Mr.Fakename]

With all the previous threads and the useful insights given here, I'm feeling very confident getting started with Catasetinae!

Seems like an interesting genera, I'm glad there are experienced people who share their knowledge to make it more accessible.

[Fuerte Rav]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I really wanted to try the dead mouse in the middle of one, because I'm willing to try just about anything, but husband put an all-stop to that idea. "Not in our house!" He said me burying fish in the veggie garden was about as far as he could tolerate. He has a much better sniffer than I, so he may have a point.

Haven't stopped laughing since I read this, thanks

I learnt a long time ago not to discuss off the wall ideas before implementing them! What he doesn't know, doesn't hurt. 🤐

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Fuerte Rav

Haven't stopped laughing since I read this, thanks

I learnt a long time ago not to discuss off the wall ideas before implementing them! What he doesn't know, doesn't hurt. 🤐

Hey Fuerte Rav.... Agreed. But I had to have the conversation, because I surely wasn't dealing with the dead mouse by myself. Eeeewwww. Dead fish? Sure. Dead mice.... his job.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Yeah, the reason I'm doing a few with the organic in the middle is a buddy of mine here does SH, and he said the only problem with Ctsm is they drink down the water REALLY quickly, and when he switched some over to organic middle he could go longer without watering. I figured if the ones that were total LECA based were too high maintenance watering-wise, I could always dump part of the LECA out and throw in an organic middle.

He had some that he was literally having to water every day, and I don't want that much maintenance in summer months. Already too much watering going on then without babysitting a few Ctsm. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

Consider the 50/50 LECA/rock wool cubes blend.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Ray

Consider the 50/50 LECA/rock wool cubes blend.

I am Bill... One with, two without.

"I have the fimbriatum in regular PET method (safer bet for a species until I know more about them). Two of the hybrids are in regular SH (LECA only), one of them SH but adding in the rock wool cubes I've been experimenting with, and one with LECA and above the reservoir line LECA mixed with cypress mulch and alpaca manure finished off with a sphag layer."

Got a whole potpourri of non-scientific Witch's Brew goin on here.

[Fuerte Rav]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

with cypress mulch and alpaca manure finished off with a sphag layer."

You've set me off again!

Now tempted to try with Monarch caterpillar frass. 🤔 🐛