Catasetum - To water or not to water ?

[No-Pro-mwa]

I guess it never hurts to try. They are looking quiet happy.

[Regelian]

Looking good! I use a similar mix for my Cats. I add carbon (I have it at hand), as well as perlite, but I think the 'secret' is the bark to sphagnum base. You get air movement and retain enough moisture. Is that a time-relase fert. you top with? I've tried adding a handfull of 'Animalin' (dried dead things, essentially!) to the Cat. mix with great results.

cheers,
Jamie V.

[gngrhill]

I also applaud your "stepping outside the box". You are apparently having good results and I may try a couple. Please keep us posted.

[orchidsarefun]

Noticed today that the pod dehisced. I pollinated on 30 November 2016, so that makes about 3 1/2 months to mature/dehisce. ( the pod is visible in an earlier photo )
I don't know if there is any seed, I can't tell. The contents are a lot different to other pods I've had, no 'fluff'. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

[orchidsarefun]

"A" shows typical rapid growth. The 3rd nubbin has done nothing. This growths are about 8in long now. I continue to water at least 1x per week.
"B" is also growing rapidly, although 1 nubbin is stalled.


B


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[orchidsarefun]

Conclusions
In MY conditions watering during dormancy kickstarted early and vigorous growth. Roots continued to grow inside and outside the pot - see photos to back that up. I'll update in a few months with pics, suffice to say that my expectations are high regarding growth and blooms.
I'm now going to try this with pileatums I have that are in full dormancy.

I'm also leaning towards the view that external roots have more to do with plant stabilisation purposes, than searching for moisture.

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[orchidsarefun]

B on the left ( later watering, but before roots were 3-4 inches long )
A shows phenomenal growth - a good start to a Chicago season. Only problem is that it's already taking up a lot of space.


Roots B


Roots A


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Still watering 1x per week, but over roots too.
That is a time-release formula I added. I still fertilise but not as regularly when they are outdoors and I think that the TR fertiliser makes up for that.

[orchidsarefun]

The ruler illustrates my problem. The growths are well over 12 inches long and the problem is getting enough sun to the plants as the weather is still too cold to place them outdoors. I'm not complaining, it's the best problem to have this early in the grow season.


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[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

The ruler illustrates my problem. The growths are well over 12 inches long and the problem is getting enough sun to the plants as the weather is still too cold to place them outdoors. I'm not complaining, it's the best problem to have this early in the grow season.


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Post from 29 April 2017. Roughly 2 years later to the day and this same plant is better by any measure. Interesting reading all the comments again too!

[orchidsarefun]

I've moved them outdoors during the day as temps have increased here.You can see the size - really lush leaves. That will soon change being exposed to wind, sun and rain.

( photo when tapatalk back ! )