the dormant season, what exactly do I do?

[talyce66]

I bought a catasetum orchid. Actually the tag says,
"cyc chlorichilon
x
ctsm Donna Wise"
It didnt bloom, but the leaves all dropped, so I brought it inside. I have read that you are supposed to water it about every ten to fourteen days. Then again the couple I bought it from told me not to water it at all. Another couple told me to take it out of the pot until spring when I see new growth. Then to trim the roots and repot. Which is the best? Should I leave it in the pot? what should I do?

[isurus79]

If the leaves have all dropped off, I dont water mine at all, unless the p-bulbs shrivel up a lot. Then I give a quick splash of water and it fattens right up. Then, in spring, a new growth will begin. Do not begin watering until the roots from the new growth are a few inches long. I personally dont take my catasetum types out of their pots, nor do I cut off the old roots. Some ppl do, though, and it just a matter of preference. Heres the AOS link for these guys: http://orchidweb.org/aos/orchids/doc...ecatasetum.pdf

[talyce66]

Thanks for the input. I am guessing I brought it in at the right time. The leaves started getting raggy and yellow. Then dropped. The couple I bought it from said it was likely getting too much sun, while the other couple showing theirs in bloom at the society meeting said it's getting that time of year. Who knows, probobly both factors!

[nancy]

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[nancy]

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[nancy]

Something crazy is going on here!

[littlefrog]

slashy slashy.

I had always heard to not water at all until the new growth is an inch tall. That might be four or five months from now, patience is a virtue.

Recently Fred Clarke gave some talks in our area and he suggested that you wait as long as you possibly can to water. If last year's pseudobulb is still plump, don't water. It is getting enough. The longer you hold off watering the more roots the plant will grow looking for water, and it will be primed to grow really fast once you finally take pity on it.