Catasetum Culture: how to water as catasetums come out of dormancy

Hello all! This seems to be a popular topic this time of year! I hope the examples I provide in this video are useful as you try to understand your own catasetum orchids.

[@andredumas9547]

Good morning Astrid, I really like your approach, "understanding the language of plants", "understanding what they are saying". Catasetums have particular requirements and they will let you know what they are. Each one is an individual having its own particular needs. Thanks for this very interesting video.

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Come back to us, Astrid! You are so missed, we would love for you to shine your light and offer your beautiful thoughts and insights!!!

[@ninbin34]

yes

[@PintiGoy]

Got a nugget at 1:13 that is: mind the watering (LISTEN TO THE PLANT) during dormancy to avoid rot. Thank u Astrid. Parking my second thumbs up here

[@GoldenArrow297]

You are a champion of catasetum. Very impressive collection.

[@OrchidLoveATX]

Astrid, I'm finally joining the catasetum club. And your videos have helped me tremendously. You rock! : )

[@artistenoire]

omg that's so great!! I hope you enjoy them. They're wonderful plants that you can practically watch grow!

[@loribadgero1035]

What a helpful, comprehensive way of explaining how to ‘read’ Catasetums! Thank you so much.😊. I have only one, but it’s a beauty and have been struggling with applying the norms. I hope I haven’t damaged it and it does well for me this year. It has 3 back bulbs that look like they are at the end of their ropes, a full growth that seems fully grown, and a tiny growth on one of the other shrivelly bulbs, but the roots (while there are many) haven’t reached the 4” rule yet. I moistened the media, slightly, a week or two ago and now one full grown leaf looks like it is shriveling. I went ahead and gave it water because I think it’s time and that it needs it, but really wasn’t sure how to go about continuing a watering schedule. I’ll watch the back bulbs -I hope they replump, and go by that for now. It is potted using the PET method and has a small reservoir on the bottom, but the longest root is only halfway there. I guess the roots will continue growing and reach it eventually, probably? I think I have a good start? 🤷🏼‍♀️. I think the only thing I am certain of is its heavy feeding nature and to fill the reservoir if it is empty. Oh, I gave it a small amount of calcium and potassium after its watering today. I guess it’s time to learn much more about Catasetums, since it lived through its dormancy and might live through the growing season. It is Ctsm.Mo. Painted Desert X (Ctsm Painted Desert X espansum). Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you, in advance.

[@1128lrc]

I have just one Cat. It just now started to take water. I sprinkle a little water on them until they change color. Then start watering lightly. Just like you I have heard several ways to monitor and decide when to water. I found so far this is the way to go. But also you added more about the shriveling of the pseudobulbs. I did notice that too. And it just about matched to the roots changing color. So like the vid. Thanks.

[@waterguy956]

This is the beat advice on this subject I have seen yet.

[@bltperky]

It is so nice seeing you back on KZbin sharing your orchids again! 😊

[@marissamaharaj304]

great info Astrid

[@brendakirk7250]

This is one of my all time favorite videos. Very informative and helpful to me. I just received a hybrid and another is on its way to my home. They may end up being my most favorite orchids to grow (if I do well at growing them 😁).

[@glorianayeagley9258]

Very informative! ! So happy that you're back missed you're video☺Thank you.😊

[@artistenoire]

Hi Gloriana! Thanks for your nice comment!

[@MADD_Crafter]

Super helpful! Thank you Astrid 😊 you have an awesome collection

[@artistenoire]

Thanks so much, Lorena!!

[@gabriele7921]

Brilliant! When I asked you a question in a comment a few days ago, your answer did help but this video has put all outstanding doubts to rest. Now I know that I have a trickle of water cycnoches. Most informative video ever!

[@artistenoire]

Thanks, Gabriele! I hope you have good success with your cycnoches! Happy growing!

[@ttschrock7126]

Awesome video and so informative. Thanks!!!!!

[@georgevega962]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@sillyybluntt]

Patiently waiting for a new video 🤗

[@sarahissac6118]

thank you Astrid☺ I appreciate your videos. I find them informative and entertaining👍😆 happy growing 🌱🍀🌸🌹

[@artistenoire]

Thank you Sarah! Happy growing to you as well!! :)

[@richardlawton1023]

Thanks. Ive learned a lot.

[@fredbounocore7242]

Hi ! just bought my first catasetums from Fred Clark. This tutorial has been very helpful to say the least. Rules are rules, but the best rule is common sense and observation of the plants. Thanks for all the good advice.!!! I am growing in a green house(my first time) .Friends from my orchid society advise me that because my humidity is about 65% -70 % ,that's all the moisture that is needed while my catasetums are in dormancy. But ,I will follow your advice of observing EACH plant. Much Thanks From (very cold-14fh- Shelter Island ,N.Y.) Fred Buonocore

[@artistenoire]

Good luck, Fred!! You'll do well. I have quit watering my catasetums mostly at this point, but I have a few that are shriveling now and so I give them a trickle of water here and there. :)

[@sherrywalker4619]

Thanks Astrid! 💞

[@glendacox2469]

Thankyou for your informative video. First time buyer of the catasetum orchid. I live in Queensland and there isn't much information for growing in this area.

[@sherrywalker4619]

Thanks Astrid, really helpful!

[@artistenoire]

I'm glad you think so, Sherry!!

[@lAlicel]

Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for this video!!

[@blancaacosta333]

Great timing on this video. My catasetums are coming out of dormancy. I was about to start watering because of the nice thick roots. So I just checked the old bulbs. They look nice and plump like a camels hump. So no need to jump and water at this time. Thank you Astrid.

[@artistenoire]

I'm glad! I couldn't put into words exactly when to water vs not, so I am glad the many examples I gave are helping people out! :)

[@janedoe8570]

Love your song..i feel that way many times

[@orchidsadutchy4940]

Your reasoning makes a lot of sense and I agree with you. I think I would like to give water with fertilizer to those with huge new growths even when the backbulbs are plump, because maybe it would make the new pseudobulbs to grow faster, but that's just a thought, I might be wrong. I have much less experience than you with these guys. I only have a Cycnodes Wine Delight, coming out of dormancy, and as far as I can tell that's the easiest cross there is. I'm very excited to see it growing. The new growth is tiny but it's making a lot of little roots, and it looks so cute and funny. I look at it all the time, I can't get enough of it. :) Have a great weekend, Astrid!

[@artistenoire]

I have been so lazy with fertilizing it's embarrassing!! So I couldn't tell you. Maybe I'll set up a group of orchids I fertilize this year and a group that I don't, and see what the difference is. That could be a good experiment! The cycnodes wine delight is so easy and wonderful. The new growth just erupted - it was awesome!! Have a great weekend yourself, too!

[@marygorchidsmore2058]

Lovely video, thanks for doing this Astrid! very thoroughly explained. I have always lost my catasetums due to early watering. I am trying hard not to water my cycnoches wine delight which has a small growth. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.

[@artistenoire]

I think that it would help if you added some good air flow. If you don't already have fans going around your orchids, I think catasetums coming out of dormancy would especially appreciate it.

[@erinvolpe5171]

Astrid--what a great video!! I don't know if you'll see this since it's been so long since the video posted but I have a question about acquiring my FIRST catasetum orchid. I bought it in April and it had a pretty good-sized, very leafed-out growth. Definitely at least 10" tall. it had some roots ~4" long, but they didn't seem like brand new ones to me--however, that was all there was so I thought.... maybe I'm wrong. I potted up (in semi-hydro) and started introducing water slowly. now it is outside in my orchid spot, new growth is still the same size but not changing at all. And those roots from before seem to have tanked and I see NO new roots. What do I do?? This is my first year with it so I realize any number of things could be the problem.

[@diannebozakis5570]

Miss you, hope you are doing bette, it takes time, bless you, your in my thoughts and prayers

[@annehalkyard]

Great info Astrid thanks. My Noid catasetum is rooting and leaves are opening and you are the guide for me for watering. I know we will succeed. Anne

[@artistenoire]

Anne, you're going to rock it! I know!

[@michaelpye5972]

Hi Astrid, Michael in Australia here. I know this long after you made this vid, but do you trim the roots when you repot, and/or as they come out of domancy

[@brad823]

Good info!

[@artistenoire]

Thanks, Brad!

[@E3lx]

Are those plastic cups that you use as pots for S/H? What diameter and capacity are they?

[@junefiorito3691]

Do you differentiate how and when you water your plants when in leca as opposed to moss?

[@NesuChambers]

Awesome video :) I agree overall, you need to listen to your plant. My cyc wine delight is a bit weird for example. I will get 80% of its water from the oldest backbulb. During dormancy only that bulb would wrinkle, and right now even tho the newest one has decreased in size, the oldest one is looking severely dehydrated. I have an egoist bulb lol xD I think one of the main differences about when to water is if the plant has old viable roots. If you give them a bit of water here and then during dormancy a lot of roots survive, or at least some, so when it starts putting out new growth, you can give it a bit of water like to your osculatum even on very immature new growths because the old roots will take up that water and the pot won't stay too wet I think. Great video, thanks for posting as I was having a bit of trouble deciding when to go up on the water :)

[@artistenoire]

Thanks for the observation about watering old and viable roots! That is a really good one that I knew intuitively but I didn't put into words in this video. I'm glad this video helped you have a better idea of when to water your plants, too!

[@ivan11cast]

Astrid when the leaves fall out, does the remaining trunk die off ? Or is it a new bulb for the plant? Im confused why some new bulbs form and some new growths with leaves form, help if u get time lol

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks so much for the video Astrid :D. I have a Fredclarkeara After Dark that is sending out a flower spike (Southern Hemisphere - so about to go into winter this side). I know I need to reduce the water, but it has currently only lost two leaves and does the flower spike need water or can it will it draw the energy it needs from the bulb? What are your thoughts? Basically at which point do I stop watering 🙈 lol

[@artistenoire]

Hmm... So the general rule of thumb for northern hemisphere (american) folks is "half water by thanksgiving and no water by christmas" - but what that might equate to for you is: "Half the water one month before winter begins. No water past the first day of winter." And you'll just gradually decrease the frequency and intensity of the water. But this is also an instance where you can listen to your plants! The ones that would suck up water like crazy just a month ago will really reduce their drinking habit!

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks for the advice Astrid :). I will pay close attention to her and see what she needs and adjust accordingly. Will let you know how it goes when I reach spring and she comes out of dormancy.

[@cillaestevinho]

Great video Astrid. I have only one of those. it's the F. C. After Dark. I saw somewhere that they don't need winter rest and mine just came out of seddling size. I have it from about 1 year now and it never in my opinion went into rest. the minute on bulb start losing leves there is already a new one half formed with roots forming. it's in semihydro. should I induce it into rest next winter? or should I just continue watering as normal and listen to.the plant. I'm so confused now.

[@artistenoire]

Mine had a full winter rest, but seedlings can be different. I know that hybrids tend to have a less drastic winter rest. I can't give a good answer to you because I lack the expertise, but go with your gut! Or maybe join the catasetums page on FB and ask there!

[@cillaestevinho]

thanks Astrid. I will have a look at the groups

[@OrchidNerd]

@@cillaestevinho I know that this is really old, but Maybe this will still help. The dormancy period of catasetinae can vary wildly based on their culture and environment. Some Catasetinae which have a pronounced rest period of several months in one environment, can have very short rests or even no rests at all in another. As Astrid says, listen to the plant. If it's actively growing, then I see no reason to force it into a rest it doesn't seem to need :)

[@sharkasorchids2049]

very helpfull video. thank you Astrid. wow. I am sure I did some mistake already .hope I didn't hurt the growth. ..ups

[@artistenoire]

If the bulb is going to rot, it will happen quickly. It won't wait then rot two weeks after you watered it too much, it will happen within a day or two (at least in my experience that happened). If you get a bulb rotting, it's probably good to just put it under a fan and let the fan blow directly on it for 24 hours (or longer if needed). That will help to dry out the potting medium very rapidly. ...it also works if you spill an entire glass of milk in your carpet, then you try to rinse the milk out with water and then you have a big puddle in the floor. don't ask how I know that.

[@Stryder4903]

love your video so much I watched it 2x. What about your Tigrinum? Has it started to wake up yet? Mine has not nor is it showing any signs of waking. I'm rather worried about it.

[@artistenoire]

Give it time. Maybe give it brighter light and warmer temps? What I think brings catasetums out of dormancy is an increase in light duration in the day. In winter, my grow lights are on for 12 hours per day, but in summer that increases to 16 hours per day. I increase it by one hour per month. Keep your plant warm and bright and it should come around. My tigrinum has a reasonably large growth on it now. However, i live near the 45th parallel. Depending on your latitude, you may have different results. I notice that people farther south will have their catasetums blooming up to 2 months before mine do!! So if you're farther north, that could also explain it.

[@hanselurizar6811]

hey astrid i always loved orchids but now i have 3 old catasetum bulbs that are growing new bulbs each one i notice that one of them is growing faster than the other ones do you know if it has something to do with the cold we are almost 19°

[@artistenoire]

Do you mean 19°F?? That is waaaaayyy too cold for a catasetum. If you are talking about 19°C, that is not a problem for this plant! It is chilly, but not bad. Sometimes the species or parents of a plant influence it to grow faster or slower. Don't worry, as long as they are all growing, it should be okay!

[@gardengnomejay4122]

"listen to the plant it will tell you what it wants" we should not let non plant lovers hear us say that they will think we are nuts😂

[@gardengnomejay4122]

listen to the plant, be one with the plant, be the plant😂😂😂

[@paulhoffman6294]

Astrid, do you leave the catas in their pots year to year instead of taking them out and chopping off the old roots?

[@artistenoire]

I did leave them in their pots. I should do a video on that. Chopping off all the old roots puts you at risk of losing the bulbs if they shrivel too much. I thought I should keep some of the old roots this time around. It seems to be going better for my plants already. That and why repot something in semi hydro? If it ain't broke, don't repot it! :)

[@imyh]

Astrid, an update video is long overdue! haha hope you and your orchids are all well~ -your quiet subscriber :)

[@AzuraCendana]

Actually the wrinkling can be normal on the leaves and may suggest rapid growth. I haven't noticed any signs pointing out to dehydrtion. 🤔 And btw I love the way your wine delight is looking like!

[@artistenoire]

Oh, thanks for your observation. I think that you're right! I have a phal that has very very broad leaves, and when they come out, they are all wavy and wrinkly, then flatten as they grow. I think you're 100% right!

[@katerinezayas9316]

Love the video!!!I have now 3 Catasetums very very tiny all three 2 of them came from a nursery and one came wet really wet he have 2 new grows but not roots worry about I can loose the new grows and the Catasetum too, I put inmediatly some holes in the pot to try to dry it out I''m afraid to repotting him

[@artistenoire]

You can blow a fan on the plant to dry it out. But if the plant will rot, you will probably see it very quickly. It is a sudden change. The plant should be okay, Katerine. :)

[@katerinezayas9316]

Thank you for you answerd!!!Going day by day with that orchid I hope the new grows don't get rotten

[@gcarson]

Hi Astrid, how do you 'half-water' a catasetum in semi-hydro? Do you fill the reservoir half way or do you flush it and dump the water out the reservoir? I'll be growing catasetums for the first time this year and I was inspired to try one in semi-hydro since you're having a lot of success :). Thanks!

[@artistenoire]

That's a good question! With an extremely light watering, I will just pour a trickle into the pot. For a half watering, I just dump out most of the reservoir after I water the plant. Some variation on that idea anyway... I also decrease frequency of waterings when I am doing a "half" water. I hope that makes sense, haha!

[@gcarson]

Thank you!

[@joventinakilpatrick3793]

Where do you purchase your catasetum and how would I know if catasetum is healthy,This is my first time buying catasetum, Thank you.

[@Zapton5]

I have got to try some cats. They look fun. But they are not in local stores. Not that IC. Any ideas for a good on line source? Am in the USA.

[@joshnasser9090]

eBay.

[@artistenoire]

Buy catasetums from Sunset Valley Orchids! Fred Clarke is at the forefront of hybridizing them!!

[@paulhoffman6294]

Are you on Stephen Moffitt's Spring sale list? Came out this AM?

[@artistenoire]

Oh gosh, no! Or maybe I am but forgot? Either way, thanks for the reminder! :)

[@mayraluna3647]

Paul Hoffman, Sr 3179NBT8488484ekkcknKjbgBbdbgentenoo5bbbhr2k ncufkkfkfdklkcckcfnfnffnFBTbbTbntNNTnjtBbmñnkRITiakrKMkKTNhj4kxkc94584ñrkfa

[@OrchidudeBcn]

Hey Astrid, thanks for yet another informative and entertaining video...I know you don't fertilize as part of your regimen, but do you Osmocote at all when (re)potting them up? Sorry to hear about your, what was it, Chlamydia Susan Wilson ? 😂😂🤣 thanks for sharing ;)

[@artistenoire]

I'm thinking of getting little packets of osmocote and just putting them on top of the medium so I can be very lazy. And oh dear, I know the woman that plant is named for - but I won't tell her what you said!! :D

[@isabellentxawm6773]

Hi, I am new to orchids. I would like to get a catasetum to try out. Where is a good place to buy them from?

[@artistenoire]

You can buy them from Sunset Valley Orchids. The catasetums bred there have good vigor and hybrid strength - almost all of mine come from there. I also bought my Cycnodes Wine Delight from Clown Alley orchids. :)

[@eddmorchids6605]

Sunset Valley Orchids, if you are in the US. Otherwise, ebay, or try looking in the online shops of other orchid nurseries.

[@JR-tr5jm]

Hi Astrid I'm new to catacetum and I bought 4 plants lays year and all of them have new growth but one of them new growth died on me what should I do cause bulb still good. Please help thanks

[@artistenoire]

Most likely, the plant will put out another new growth in a week or two. If the backbulbs are healthy and have more available eyes, they can sustain a new growth. I've had pests for a long time and they killed many new growths on my catasetums, but my catasetums are smart and regrew new growths!

[@myyertaitengineering]

how come only some boys have a circumcision?

[@AzuraCendana]

I just give water to any plants that have a growth that have leafed out a bit. I have some catasetums still dormant because they were sent from the southern hemisphere.

[@artistenoire]

I am trying to force them out of dormancy with heat and bright light. It's been a struggle, haha, but one of them is really picking up steam!

[@nicholaspickolas-]

Hey Astrid, really liking your videos; you're hilarious!! Question: how the f*ck did you deal with fungus gnats? I have about 20 plants in my bedroom, and most are planted in regular potting soil (they would not be able to survive in inorganic media). Thank you, and have a great day!! Nick

[@artistenoire]

I'm just that unlucky, I guess! I don't know why they happen to be my issue, but they happen to a lot of other growers who use compost and other more natural mediums. But hey hey hey, lemme say that people have grown a LOT of plants in semi-hydro. Ray Barkalow likes to mention a woman who grew her succulents in it. I also grew a very water sensitive polka dot plant in semi hydro. You'd be surprised what will live in it - that said, it can be a pain in the ass to manage, but it's goddamn possible!

[@nicholaspickolas-]

Thanks for the response! I'll have to do some research into growing plants with inorganic media; it seems great as it doesn't break down and I actually really like the look of it. Hmm! Now, the challenge of finding a good inorganic media... Any suggestions? I'm located in Canada, so I assume we have similar products (I think? Hopefully?) and as you probably know seramis is next to impossible to find (or maybe you find a seramis life hack lol). P.S. I'm fairly new to your channel so I apologize in advance if I ask things you've discussed in your videos. Thank you for being you, you're super funny and I really love the light-hearted vibes you bring to this hobby. Thanks again! Nick

[@artistenoire]

I really like Leca/hydroton/round clay pellets. They are called a number of things, but they are essentially the same. 1cm-1.5cm diameter round spheres. They can be used as a VERY airy regular potting medium, but I prefer them in semi-hydroponics - how I grow most of my orchids. :) There is also seramis, which is clay pieces that are finer and not spherical. You should be able to access all that in Canada!

[@nicholaspickolas-]

Awesome! I found hydroton for a seemingly good price ($40 CAD for 50L) so that's exciting! Experiments to come! Yet another question for you, (if you have a place that I can message you directly instead of leaving lengthy comments, that'd be cool :P) the last three orchids I've purchased from my local nursery have come reeeeaaaaaaallllyyy tightly packed in sphagnum, and they each took me about 6 hours to clean and begin repotting.... Is this normal? Am I being too careful? Thanks again Astrid, Nick

[@nicholaspickolas-]

P.S. Have you ever had the leaf edges of your Black Pearl curl? Don't know if this is normal.

[@sherrywalker4619]

Do you repot them every year?

[@artistenoire]

No. I am leaving the ones in semi-hydro alone until they over-fill their pots. The ones in sphagnum moss will need to be repotted every year or every other year, but it's a nice easy medium to remove from the plants.

[@tksixangels44]

@@artistenoire I'm getting ready to receive my first Catasetum. I want her in self watering and I thought about using clay pellets. Will this be okay since they need quite a lit of water and fertilizer?

[@Guyrandomducttape1]

If a FDK is crossed with a Catasetum are the offspring still a FDK?

[@artistenoire]

I don't know!! You'd have to ask an AOS judge or the Royal Horticultural Society!!

[@Dan01554]

Hi Astrid. You are looking good. I enjoy your videos but, I can't hear them. Thank you. Danny.

[@lenayakovenko1715]

VERY INTERETED IN YOUE HYDRO SYSTEM SIMI I ALSO BOUGHT AND WANT TO TRY.I TOOT MY FIRST CONFIRMATION INVITES YOU TO SEE

[@glenschmeisser6633]

try watering from the bottom rather than the top, forcing the roots to grow toward the moisture.

[@artistenoire]

These plants put out such extreme roots so fast that you could water sideways, standing on one foot, or on the moon and they'd still just explode with roots!!

[@glenschmeisser6633]

your answer to the "booger ring" challenge is hilarious! none of the guys biz...

[@madisonsmagikal1465]

no dreads?

[@artistenoire]

No, they pull too much! Like 50 tiny pony tails on my head pulling at any time. ouch!

[@1128lrc]

the roots change color.

[@theefactor1360]

this woman got into a long argument about circumcision

[@artistenoire]

I mean, this comment is really out of place here and all, but I firmly believe the widespread practice of circumcising baby boys is wrong and many human cultures should change their mindset about it. It denies grown men sensitivity and moisture to the glans of his penis, and more importantly, it denies a man the choice about his own body. It's really wrong to take away a part of someone's body without their consent.

[@sherrywalker4619]

Really because I think sphagnum moss is a pain in the ass to remove! 😜

[@artistenoire]

It's not as big of a pain in the ass as bark!!