Can I repot my Catasetums now and what about roots?

[Cymbaline]

Hey there!

Two questions. I have three Catasetums at this point but I'm still a beginner. A Monnierara Millennium Magic, a Black Perl and FredClarkeara After Dark.

All three no longer have leaves and they all seem to be dormant. So from what I understand it's safe to repot them now? I also know a member here, Subrosa mentioned he uses 2/3 composted cow manure so I'm thinking about doing this too BUT if I do this should I lay off using other fertilizers?

Last question someone ( not from here ) mentioned they remove the roots when the catasetum goes dormant. Is this necessary?

Thank you

[Clawhammer]

I do not remove roots when repotting but you will be fine either way. Repot during dormancy and wait until the bulbs shrivel a little before watering.

My guess is you will need additional ferts in addition to manure during the growing period when the love higher concentrations of fertilizer than most other orchids. I don't think manure would provide that by itself.

---------- Post added at 02:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:40 PM ----------

PET potting method for Catasetums- English - YouTube

[fishmom]

Best not to remove roots totally, but anything that is loose and strips off easily can come off. The remainder will help stabilize the plant in its new pot and may have some ability to take up water when you start it.

[Cymbaline]

Awesome. Thank you both for your time and wisdom!

[SouthPark]

I don't remove the roots as well. And I totally agree with some others (through observation) that roots of catasetum plants even at the end of dormancy can still be alive.

[Roberta]

I also don't remove roots - the new ones will be better, but the older ones (especially from the previous year) are still alive and useful. After several years old roots just shrivel up. Dormancy is a good time to repot, so that the new roots will be able to grow without disturbance once they appear.

I use time-release fertilizer during the growing season - these plants will grow almost as fast as a tomato vine, and so will need lots of nutrition. Then when I'm fertilizing the rest of the plants with my pump sprayer, I still give the Catasetinae a drink of that too. In the spring and early summer, it's pretty hard to over-fertilize or over-water these. Around August or September you can back off on the fertilizer to a level like the rest of the orchids since they will have matured their growth and will slow down.

[Cymbaline]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I use time-release fertilizer during the growing season -

Thank you for the advice. Would you be willing to share what brand you use ?

I use Nutricote or Dynamite, but I think any brand will work. You would want the 6-month (120 days) type (there is also a 9-month type, but that would be giving fertilizer into the next dormant period)

[Subrosa]

I also fertilize Catasetum with Miracle Gro used at full strength for "regular" plants, 1 tsp per gal monthly while they're actively growing in the manure. The pots sit in trays with 1"-2" of water at all times. I don't remove roots.

[Cymbaline]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

I also fertilize Catasetum with Miracle Gro used at full strength for "regular" plants, 1 tsp per gal monthly while they're actively growing in the manure. The pots sit in trays with 1"-2" of water at all times. I don't remove roots.

Thank you! I'll copy you on that!

---------- Post added at 03:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Cymbaline

I use Nutricote or Dynamite, but I think any brand will work. You would want the 6-month (120 days) type (there is also a 9-month type, but that would be giving fertilizer into the next dormant period)

Thank you!