I can’t tell if my Fdk After Dark Black Pearl is in dormancy?

[ccole93]

I have had it since the end of Jan. It bloomed (it has no leaves and didn’t when I bought it). Both blooms died off just this week and in a lot of my reading it says that should make the beginning of dormancy but it’s March, so shouldn’t this be nearing the end of dormancy? The roots look okay but the plant is definitely a bit shriveled-looking and light green. I have it growing indoors under lights with my other orchids (I’m in upstate NY). Any ideas?

[estación seca]

Dormancy starts as the leaves dry up and fall off for the winter. Many hybrids flower during dormancy. New growth will begin as weather warms, but most people in North America don't water until late May. There is excellent and detailed growing information on the Sunset Valley Orchids Web site.

[ccole93]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Dormancy starts as the leaves dry up and fall off for the winter. Many hybrids flower during dormancy. New growth will begin as weather warms, but most people in North America don't water until late May. There is excellent and detailed growing information on the Sunset Valley Orchids Web site.

I haven’t read anything anywhere about them flowering during dormancy, just that when the flowers die it means dormancy is imminent, but you’re the second person to tell me that happens (thank you). Lots of of what I read said to water in late winter or early spring which here would be around March so I’ve been watering it anyway. Some sites said early Feb, March, April, etc. I read the info from SVO but it said the same thing, after flowering they go dormant, so I assumed this was the flowering phase and it was meant to go dormant now? Not really sure what to do at this point; it’s probably going to end up dying. Thanks for the help, though.

[Roberta]

Some (especially complex hybrids) very definitely can flower during dormancy... Here is Mormodes Mark Mills... with a big, beautiful spike, has had no leaves (and no water) for at least 6 weeks. (It bloomed last November just as it was going dormant, too) New growth hasn't started yet. Some other of my Catasetinae are starting to sprout, none ready for water yet. (Even one or two that still have old leaves, but they haven't had any water since the end of December) Some may be ready in a month or so, some will be a good bit more. Go by what the plant is doing, not the calendar, since they aren't all ready at the same time. (Same for dormancy... some go sooner than others)

When new growth starts, DON'T WATER... wait until roots (and leaves) are 3-4 inches and leaves have started to open out. If you feel the urge to water sooner, put your hands in your pockets so that you can't reach the watering can .

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Some (especially complex hybrids) very definitely can flower during dormancy... Here is Mormodes Mark Mills... with a big, beautiful spike, has had no leaves (and no water) for at least 6 weeks. (It bloomed last November just as it was going dormant, too) New growth hasn't started yet. Some other of my Catasetinae are starting to sprout, none ready for water yet. Some may be ready in a month or so, some will be a good bit more. Go by what the plant is doing, not the calendar, since they aren't all ready at the same time. (Same for dormancy... some go sooner than others)

When new growth starts, DON'T WATER... wait until roots (and leaves) are 3-4 inches and leaves have started to open out. If you feel the urge to water sooner, put your hands in your pockets so that you can't reach the watering can .

What a crazy looking spike! Love how straight and symmetrical it is

[Roberta]

Yeah, it tends to sent its spikes straight out. I use a little wire stake to support it, fearing that it could break of its own weight when I move it. But it's pretty strong.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by ccole93

I have had it since the end of Jan. It bloomed (it has no leaves and didn’t when I bought it). Both blooms died off just this week and in a lot of my reading it says that should make the beginning of dormancy but it’s March, so shouldn’t this be nearing the end of dormancy? The roots look okay but the plant is definitely a bit shriveled-looking and light green. I have it growing indoors under lights with my other orchids (I’m in upstate NY). Any ideas?

If it has no leaves now, then you can definitely assume 'dormancy'. Watering can stop now.

You mentioned the 'plant' being shriveled looking. I assume you mean the bulb is shriveled looking. Some good pics of it may come in handy - just to see exactly how shriveled looking it is. But let's assume all is well.

Also - with Fdk ---- and other catasetum-type plants ----- I notice that they can do their dormancy at times that we don't expect. I see this at least in the tropics. Also in the tropics - they can even come out of 'dormancy' fairly quickly too -- such as even maybe a couple of weeks later. And sometime they stay dormant for much longer times.

[ccole93]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Some (especially complex hybrids) very definitely can flower during dormancy... Here is Mormodes Mark Mills... with a big, beautiful spike, has had no leaves (and no water) for at least 6 weeks. (It bloomed last November just as it was going dormant, too) New growth hasn't started yet. Some other of my Catasetinae are starting to sprout, none ready for water yet. (Even one or two that still have old leaves, but they haven't had any water since the end of December) Some may be ready in a month or so, some will be a good bit more. Go by what the plant is doing, not the calendar, since they aren't all ready at the same time. (Same for dormancy... some go sooner than others)

When new growth starts, DON'T WATER... wait until roots (and leaves) are 3-4 inches and leaves have started to open out. If you feel the urge to water sooner, put your hands in your pockets so that you can't reach the watering can .

Wow!!! I should take some pics. It has a pretty large root system but the potting media is... muddy? And retaining water for way too long. I’m not sure if I should move it or just leave it but it has a *lot* of roots right now. I will occupy myself watering my other plants!!

[ccole93]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

If it has no leaves now, then you can definitely assume 'dormancy'. Watering can stop now.

You mentioned the 'plant' being shiveled looking. I assume you mean the bulb is shriveled looking. Some good pics of it may come in handy - just to see exactly how shriveled looking it is. But let's assume all is well.

Also - with Fdk ---- and other catasetum-type plants ----- I notice that they can do their dormancy at times that we don't expect. I see this at least in the tropics. Also in the tropics - they can even come out of 'dormancy' fairly quickly too -- such as even maybe a couple of weeks later. And sometime they stay dormant for much longer times.

Ok! Good to know thank you. The media it’s in is really retaining water and is kind of sticky and muddy so I’ve been wanting to repot it. Here’s how it looks right now. There are a lot... of roots.

[Roberta]

If the new growth hasn't started yet you can repot. Just rinse the old medium off... don't mess with the roots. Last year's roots are still good, another year and they'll die off but you'll have a whole new crop of them. You do want a very water-retentive medium. I use sphagnum until I'm up to a 6 inch pot or so... then small bark. But if there's a hunk of sphagnum in the middle, no problem. Just leave it, with the roots embedded within. When these are growing, you can't over water them... they will take everything that you can give them. I also add some time release fertilizer, since I fertilize everything pretty lightly out of the same sprayer and when in rapid growth they are also much hungrier than most orchids. When they are in their growth phase you can almost watch them grow. So... really different from most orchids - sopping wet and well-fed. Then in the fall, cut back on the water and fertilizer, once they lose leaves (or end of December if they aren't going dormant stop watering anyway and push them into dormancy)

Here's the link to the Sunset Valley Orchids culture info.
Sunset Valley Orchids - Catasetinae Culture

Also, search the Forum for posts from Isurus79... he has some videos, as well as many posts, with lots of helpful information.