Catasetum trimming time!
 

We got a brutally cold bout of rain that forced my orchids inside about 2-3 weeks early :((:((:((:((:((:((:((:((:((:((

Bringing the Catasetinae inside means trimming the leaves off mature bulbs to save space. About half my plants loose their leaves and the other half (that are still actively growing) get to keep the leaves. Check out the before and after pics:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1912/...6da3036d_b.jpgCatasetum trimming time! by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1924/...a1a2b000_b.jpgCatasetum trimming time! by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1972/...ef45e631_b.jpgCatasetum trimming time! by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Wow! I guess that will force dormancy, all right!

Yep, that's the plan! Doesn't hurt the plants either.

Oh, really?? I'm also in Texas (Dallas) and I just bought a Cycnodes Wine Delight. I'm brand new to the Catasetem family but I'm certainly intrigued by them. I've got my Wine Delight in my greenhouse and just waiting for the leaves to turn and fall off.

I think this may be an option for the space-challenged and I was considering it. I decided against it when my tabulare started a 3rd spike and when my pileatum growth started swelling/growing. See photo. I've come to the conclusion that natural dormancy is better, at least for some species and hybrids.

Yep, either method works. I'd probably just let the leaves stay on if I didn't need to bring them inside.

---------- Post added at 08:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 PM ----------

Let me know if you ever make it down to Austin!