Notes from Fred Clarke

[Roberta]

There are lots of questions about watering/fertilizing of Catasetinae, especially at the "edges" of the seasons. I get Fred Clarke's email newsletter (Sunset Valley Orchids), notes which I think are worth sharing.

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From Fred Clarke:

Watering and fertilizing should be in full swing, with your plants' bulbs mature or reaching maturity now. This is when your plants are putting on their best growth

No re-potting at this time! The roots are well-developed and will resent being disturbed. If you were negligent (how could that be?), it is better to wait until next spring at this point.

Now is the time when your Catasetinae can really take advantage of lots of light and air movement to help finish the development of the new growth. Ideal temperatures now are 75-95 degree days and 60-70 degree nights, with humidity between 40% and 80%.

It's still important to keep an eye out for those pesky spider mites. These can really get a foot-hold on your plants, and they have 8 feet! Be diligent and check the undersides of the new leaves regularly. If mites are detected, spray immediately. They can quickly get out of control if early action is not taken!

Looking ahead, autumn is just about to start, and that means winter will be upon us soon. Yeah, I know, it arrives faster every year. We are still about two months from the time that you should start to see the indications of leaf yellowing and leaf drop, signaling the beginning of dormancy. This is when you should stop fertilizing and cut back on watering frequency. You want to simulate the end of the wet season, as it happens in nature. This change in plant culture will cause the pseudobulbs to harden off, in preparation for dormancy.