Catasetum awake vs. winter rest - Orchid Board

kindrag23 · #1 10-20-2013, 11:59 AM

This was asked of me by another ob member. This member stated that sometimes people new to this family may accidentally think they are dead and chunk them. So I was asked to post asleep vs awake.

1st. The first one is of my smaller catasetum still awake. Not sure since they are so small if they will sleep or not this year.
2nd. The second is of my catasetum hybrid seedlings I have. All still awake.
3rd. This is o c my monn. Millenium *witchcraft* that has finished blooming and has gone to sleep. I decided to take it out of its media due to a moldy odor coming from the pot as I was moving it towards its new warmer sunny winter spot.

kindrag23 · #2 10-20-2013, 12:01 PM

Sorry just realized took the first two upside down!

The seond picture is actually what the phulbs look like in comparison to my witchcraft now. The frilly doris may in fact be moving towards a winter rest because I am noticing some slight shriveling of the phulb. Which was not there say even a week ago

orchidsarefun · #3 10-20-2013, 12:14 PM

my witchcraft is just starting to bloom, no signs of dormancy at all. Full set of leaves too. Weird.
Actually all the other cats are also still "growing"

kindrag23 · #4 10-20-2013, 12:17 PM

I am not sure. About a month or 6 weeks ago the leaves started yellowing and dropping. Maybe because it had a double spike...I am not sure. But it is resting now.

euplusia · #5 10-20-2013, 12:53 PM

There is no general rule of thumb. Many but not all catasetum species undergo a rest period, and the more complex hybrids are even more able to adapt. I can only say 'Let the plant be the master' and follow its needs.

orchidsarefun · #6 10-20-2013, 01:15 PM

I thought reducing water was one method of stimulating dormancy late in the season ?

kindrag23 · #7 10-20-2013, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

I thought reducing water was one method of stimulating dormancy late in the season ?

I think that is correct. But that is if by december(?) If they have not gone dormant. I know we should have already stopped all fertilizing by now....but my smaller ones I am going to continue to feed them. Because I do not feel the will go dormant until next fall they are so small.

digriz · #8 10-20-2013, 07:24 PM

I have two catasetums, one is in bloom and the other in bud. The one that is in bloom I got last July and it has never rested, just produced two more pbulbs. The one in bud rested and woke up this March. So far I've stopped fertilizing them and have cut back on the water.

Kevin_PR · #9 10-20-2013, 08:30 PM

I don't give them rest until they start to lose their leaves. Some species need a shorter rest than others. Great job on those seedlings, I like how you com-potted them.

kindrag23 · #10 10-20-2013, 08:36 PM

Well that was my goal. In the very bottom is packing peanuts with lava rock/bark then dead sphagnum moss on top and between the roots and the rock.