First Catasetum/Catasetinae - Monnierara Millenium Magic Witchcraft - Orchid Board

chiirioz · #1 07-21-2016, 09:04 PM

Hello all!

I am here for my second post... and again, asking for assistance of course.

My two phals are doing good in a 60-40 bark and NZ spag mix and I unmounted the mini despite most saying to keep on the mount. I just don't have the time to water it everyday. I think my negligence with plants = success with orchids.

SO... I got my first big-girl orchid today in the mail

I couldn't help myself, I just fell in love with the elegant black flowers of the Monnierara Millenium Orchid... and finally after a year of going back and forth, I thought I would graduate to Catasetums and their hybrids.

I am TERRIFIED to say the least.

This full-grown baby seems to be in it's growing stage with a whole mess of roots in sphagnum moss which makes me super nervous in over-watering and rotting everything. It is in a 4" square pot but seems a bit too big for it as it's a bit wobbly. I want to move it into a 5 or 6" slotted standard orchid pot.

The shipper watered it very well and it is still moist after about 3 days in a dark box.

I hear you shouldn't repot until it is in it's dormancy phase. Should I wait? I will water it with a 1/4 or 1/2 strength 20-20-20 fertilizer and flush it often.

I should mention that I am in NYC with a (I thought North) but seems to be a full-on South facing window - very bright in the afternoon for about 4 - 5 hrs. Apt kept at 72-73F.

I'm excited but need help!

THANK YOU - photos below and bonus dog for size.

fishmom · #2 07-21-2016, 10:26 PM

Hello Chiirioz, and congratulations on entering the catasetum world! Cute dog, too!

In all honesty, it is hard to overwater one of these plants when it is in full growth pattern. I don't use sphag, but I do know that the roots are very tender. I'd hesitate to repot now if you feel that the root mass is pretty well developed. Your new baby will enjoy plenty of light and heat, and you will probably find that the moss dries more quickly when it is out of the box. A bamboo skewer will help you keep track of moisture.

I think you will find that putting the 4 inch pot inside a slightly larger ceramic pot will take care of the balance problem. You will be able to move it to a larger pot next year. In fact, if it grows well you may still have to use a cache pot for balance.

Good luck, and have fun!

AvantGardner · #3 07-22-2016, 06:47 AM

Hello and welcome to the weird and wonderful world of catasetinae! Your plant looks like it has one heck of a head start this year. Strong pseudobulb. Definitely wait to repot until dormancy. Like fishmom said, find a heavier pot to put your pot in for extra stability. If you will be windowsill growing, during the heat of the day, or when it gets the most direct sun, make it a point to touch the leaves. Make sure they're not burning hot to the touch. But, if it's growing alongside happy phals I think it'll be just fine.

We've all made mistakes with this group, it goes with the territory. The important thing is to learn from them. Feel your way through it, you'll do just fine. This group is tolerant of almost downright abuse. Check out old posts here for care tips, check out the SVO culture page, Rogue Orchids has a good one as well. Have fun!

isurus79 · #4 07-22-2016, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AvantGardner

Rogue Orchids

Whoa, how do I not know about these guys?

AvantGardner · #5 07-22-2016, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isurus79

Whoa, how do I not know about these guys?

Brent? He has some top notch plants. Also has an eBay page under Disanuts714 or something like that. I've been eyeing his mormodes crosses for a while.

estación seca · #6 07-22-2016, 11:24 PM

I will chime in. Do not repot these when they are so far along in the growing season. The time to repot is just before they begin growing new roots, or just as they begin growing new roots. Be sure you read about their cultivation. Most are lost to watering too early in the season, and the rest are lost to spider mites:

Catasetinae Culture at Sunset Valley Orchids

chiirioz · #7 07-23-2016, 10:07 AM

Thank you for all the advice and resources! I will wait until it is either dormant or done flowering. My only concern is the medium that it is in. Seems either super moist, broken down, almost dirt like but the roots take up the majority of the pot.

Do I water the same as my phals by soaking? I just ran some 20-10-20 fertilizer mixed in water through it and let it sit for maybe 5-10 minutes. I'm going to let it "air out" by keeping it out of the ceramic pot.

estación seca · #8 07-23-2016, 12:28 PM

I would not repot this plant this summer or fall when it is finished flowering, not even if the medium looks pretty nasty. I would not repot except when dormant and leafless. That means next spring. Catasetinae do not do well if you disturb their roots while in active growth.

They use so much water they will suck dry even old, broken down medium rapidly, so there is minimal danger of root rot.

Completely soak the plant. Then let it get almost dry. This particular kind of plant, in my experience, does better if it does not completely dry out when in leaf. Many people stand the plants in dishes of water during the growing season.

Read the link I gave in the previous post for how to fertilize.

chiirioz · #9 07-23-2016, 01:29 PM

Thanks so much - with Phals, excessive moisture = bad so it's good to hear some solid advice to quell my fears.

isurus79 · #10 07-23-2016, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

I would not repot this plant this summer or fall when it is finished flowering, not even if the medium looks pretty nasty. I would not repot except when dormant and leafless. That means next spring. Catasetinae do not do well if you disturb their roots while in active growth.

They use so much water they will suck dry even old, broken down medium rapidly, so there is minimal danger of root rot.

Completely soak the plant. Then let it get almost dry. This particular kind of plant, in my experience, does better if it does not completely dry out when in leaf. Many people stand the plants in dishes of water during the growing season.

Read the link I gave in the previous post for how to fertilize.

---------- Post added at 02:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:33 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by AvantGardner

Brent? He has some top notch plants. Also has an eBay page under Disanuts714 or something like that. I've been eyeing his mormodes crosses for a while.

Ah, I think he was active on this site for a while at some point. Considering the dirth of Mormodes available in the US, I'm glad he's making these more available!