Cycnodes "Jumbo Puff"

[SlzrJ]

I found this for a very good price and I simply couldn't let the opportunity pass.

It's much larger than I thought it'd be, I expected it to be dormant or have just a small growth. It's already around 50cm across and it looks like it's still growing new leaves. Overall a very nice purchase. Maybe it's large enough to flower next year, that is if I can keep it alive for that long haha.

[Blueszz]

Beautiful plant!

[Clawhammer]

That's going to flower this year for sure. Congrats! Update with flower pics when the time comes (cycnoches usually flower in late fall).

[Waterdog111]

Nice

[SlzrJ]

I'm not sure if that's applicable in my conditions since we don't experience a significant drop in temperature

I haven't been able to find much iformation regarding the timing of their life cycle in my country

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by SlzrJ

I'm not sure if that's applicable in my conditions since we don't experience a significant drop in temperature

I haven't been able to find much iformation regarding the timing of their life cycle in my country

I think, just watch the show... definitely blooming size, timing will be whenver the plant decides to do it. And don't worry about it's outgrowing the pot. These can end up with roots climbing out, and be just fine. Wait for the next dormancy cycle to repot (drop into a larger one if necessary but don't disturb roots while in growth)

[SlzrJ]

We do have a dry season from December to May so maybe I could let it go dormant then.

I was actually concerned because the medium, a coconut husk, seems to be already starting to break down. The rains have just started in the past few weeks and it'll get even more wet as we approach the rainy season.

I'm worried that it could break down too much too quickly in these conditions and become detrimental.

[Roberta]

The species ancestors of these plants, in many (probably most) cases are from tropical latitudes. So the "trigger" for dormancy is the start of a dry season (not tempertaure, daylength would also not change much) So it likely will be right at home in your climate. Those of us who live in the higher latitudes have to mess with conditions... you can likely pretty much let nature run the show.

The plant will go dormant all by itself. When it drops leaves, put where it won't get rained on. When the new growth is well established (new roots around 8-10 cm) watering can resume. The plant will tell you...
Also, note that when it is active growth (like now) it is both hungry and thirsty... fertilize more than you do for your other orchids, and don't worry about overwatering - it wants wet. When it goes dormant, it doesn't want fertilizer or water. Really different than most orchids.

[SlzrJ]

Thank you

I am familiar with what I'm supposed to do with them. SVO, Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis on YouTube and this forum have been very good sources of information.

I do have one more concern. It's to do with water getting into the leaf axils. Is this something to be concerned about especially at this stage where the leaves are still growing tightly together at their bases?

My other orchids like Oncidium and Grammatophyllum seem to be fine so far with water getting into the axils since it doesn't doesn't stay wet more for more than a day. I'm wondering if these Catasetum types are more sensitive than that?

[Roberta]

Once the new growth has opened out like yours, don't worry about water in the leaf axils. That's one big reason to be careful when the new growth is just starting and the leaves still are in sort of a "tube" - at THAT point, water sitting in the new growth can indeed lead to rot. But that's still in the "don't water yet" period. Once the leaves open out, water drains out. (Also a good indicator of when to start watering when you can't see the roots)