Acclimating Peruvian Catasetinae

[thespookyasparagus]

I came home from POE with several Catasetinae from Peru. They are all in good shape, but definitely at different stages of their seasonal cycle, drastically so. A couple of the Catasetums are in full leaf and look picture pictures. Cycnoches seem to be yellowing. One of the Mormodes is leafless and has the start of two spikes.

Reading tells me that Peru's dry season (their equivalent of winter) starts around April-May, running through September-October. This is, of course, opposite from those of us in North America. The rest of our Catasetinae are in varying stages of waking up, most I have not yet started watering for the season. My question is- how would folks here acclimate these new additions from Peru? My inclination is to go rough and tumble, and pretty much put them on our season cycle now. I realize this may lead to a bumpy first year with them, may lose out on blooming some this year, etc, but this seems like a better option than to try to follow their former season, as I'll eventually need to switch them anyway? Thoughts?

Thanks!

[estación seca]

I would not try to dictate our seasons to plants with such strong seasonality. I would watch the plants and water appropriately for their current stage of growth. If in full leaf, keep watering. Once they start yellowing, stop watering and let go dormant. Then wait to water again until the roots are at the appropriate length, no matter the time of year here.

In a couple of years they should acclimate to our calendar.

Whether or not you have you grown Catasetinae before, it is always useful to visit the Sunset Valley Orchids Web site and look at the cultural information.

[Roberta]

I had one that, once it went dormant during the growing season, ended up going nearly a year and a half before growing again (dormant in growing season and dormant in dormant season) but eventually came around, I totally agree with ES... do what the plant tells you it wants or doesn't want. Don't try to impose your will on it. Go with the flow.

[thespookyasparagus]

Good advice from you both, thank you. Again, orchids reminding me that I can't control everything (read, much of anything, no matter how much I might want to! ) It's a sunny and very warm day in the greenhouse and all of my new Peruvian friends just got hydrated, or, at least, those that are still clearly in growth mode. I fear this might have been very agitating for their new California neighbors, who are all sitting there screaming, "Hello, we're thirsty too, you cruel, cruel son of a....."

[isurus79]

I had a chat with Fred Clarke about this very topic a few months ago. This video might help you out: https://youtu.be/O5dtzuVAemA

---------- Post added at 08:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ----------

P.S. I am actively manipulating my Cycnoches jarae to trigger dormancy.

[thespookyasparagus]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I had a chat with Fred Clarke about this very topic a few months ago. This video might help you out: https://youtu.be/O5dtzuVAemA

---------- Post added at 08:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ----------

P.S. I am actively manipulating my Cycnoches jarae to trigger dormancy.

Somewhat alarmingly, I was literally watching your chat with Fred when you posted this message. Spooky! Great discussion, and definitely will influence how I handle these guys over the next few months. Thanks, Stephen!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by thespookyasparagus

Somewhat alarmingly, I was literally watching your chat with Fred when you posted this message. Spooky! Great discussion, and definitely will influence how I handle these guys over the next few months. Thanks, Stephen!

Ha! That is spooky!!