Catasetums- Spring Tips and Tricks

[@swknoell]

This is my 1st year with catasetums. Your videos & reassurances are wonderful!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Let me know if you have questions!

[@ginakapuscinski9698]

Hoo boy, Stephen! That was helpful! GOOD JOB! THANK YOU!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Glad to help!

[@donnadiggons5299]

I was tempted to water mine the other day but am SO GLAD I did not. Mine are inside under lights right now with tiny nubs of new growth. Patience! Thank you, as always, for the concise info.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Donna Diggons I know the temptation to water is strong!! I’m glad you resisted!

[@dannisorchidjourney]

Great tips. I haven’t tried these orchids yet. I really need to. This video gave me some confidence.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Do it! You'll love this group! Shoot me questions and I'll try to help as much as possible!

[@NesuChambers]

The stage of your plants puts me at ease, as many times I have issues with dormancy and my plants go dormant VERY late, around late January or even February which leads to a late new growth. I almost do the PET method but I stayed with the moss and pots still, will probably try it out next season. I slacked off too much and then I had roots coming and no bottles to use. Really great to learn alongside you, cant wait for the next update :)

[@SVKLOrchids]

NesuChambers Thanks! Late dormancy can definitely be frustrating!!

[@JuliesOrchids]

Hi Stephen, I wanted to thank you for these videos. I am new to catasetums, having only one, and i am following your advise on general care. I went to high school in Wimberley Tx and it is also nice to watch your videos to see the trees in your yard, taking me back. ( i miss tubing down the Blanco) I am here in Australia, Perth Australia - we have a similar climate just the seasons are reversed, so we are just coming into spring and I am watching the new growth on my Planiceps. Im thinking maybe next month it'll get some water. Thanks again and have a wonderful day.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Oh wow, what brought you to Australia?

[@JuliesOrchids]

@@SVKLOrchids The short of it is work. Otherwise, its a long story.

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@JuliesOrchids Fair enough! Sounds like a great adventure!

[@lesliebray8114]

Nice refresher !!

[@ono7077]

From 3:56 Sec talk now I understand why my new growth died back . It was not tied up with stick and I use to I’ve the pot around in morning taking out side in the evening putting it inside .

[@SVKLOrchids]

Ah, yes! That's the most frustrating thing that can happen, which is why I try to tell people about it! It seems like an important detail that videos and books don't always mention.

[@ono7077]

Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis I do not regretting. B coz unless I make mistake I do not learn . I kept that pet potted catsm to see if any developments!! Meanwhile my other pot catsm has no sign of growth. I pour water yesterday . Let’s see what comes up !! Thanks you support .

[@siggyincr7447]

Great video. Here in Costa Rica my Catasetums and Cynoches are starting to grow again too. One of my C. maculatum is even growing going to bloom again in a couple weeks, which is really kind of odd. The Mormodes are still blooming and in bud, but those that have finished blooming are starting new vegetative growth too. Due to the warm to hot weather they get watered regardless of their growth stage and seem to do well with it. A great point you made about making sure an orchid can't move in its pot or on its mount while it's sending out new roots. I didn't know how important that was when I started getting interested in orchids and had problems with some that the wind would get a bit of wiggle out them.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Ah yes, that’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way…more than once!! 😅😅

[@TrishsOrchidLife]

This was very helpful. I just received a Wine Delight and will use your tips to help get it to grow.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Glad to help! Hopefully you get blooms this fall!

[@TrishsOrchidLife]

@@SVKLOrchids would love to see her bloom but will be more excited for her to not die 😂😂. I love your videos btw.

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@TrishsOrchidLife Thank you! I bet your Wine Delight does well! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@beckyschlegel6777]

Thanks! Great demonstration!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Glad to do it!

[@tran-vm3uu]

thanks for information.

[@SVKLOrchids]

No problem!

[@patriciasorchids3999]

I have been waiting for this video as well. I have three young ones, all at different stages. The one that is the furthest along, the new growth is about 2" tall and with little nubbins for roots. Hopefully, I will be successful at growing them. . Thanks for sharing. Have a happy Easter and stay safe.

[@SVKLOrchids]

I bet you'll do well with them!

[@yourteacher458]

Such clear guidelines!!!Thank you so much.Greetings,Irena.(I have no Catasetums yet,because in all videos I've seen so far,they rotted and now I know why!watered too early)

[@SVKLOrchids]

Your Teacher You’re welcome! Let me know when you get some Catasetums! You’ll love em!

[@MyGreenPets]

Nice to see!

[@SVKLOrchids]

My Green Pets What stage are yours in right now?

[@sheaeastman5576]

Another great video! I am so damn grateful that you take the time to make these and really break down your techniques and the logic behind them. Great job and keep it up!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Shea Eastman Thank you so much!

[@charlesmckemie8921]

Very timely. I was wondering about all the situations you presented. Here in 9a in the Fl panhandle my new growths are indeed much farther along being 6 in or so in height. I’m still going to wait until Memorial Day to water however based upon your advice. I reported all of them in PET based upon your previous video so I’m excited to see how that does this summer. Thank you for all the great videos you produce. They are a big help.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Very cool! I can't wait to see your PET blooms!

[@charlesmckemie8921]

Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis lol. Me either!!

[@michaelpye5972]

Great video Stephen. We are at the opposite season to you and most Catasetinae are flowering and soon into dormancy

[@SVKLOrchids]

Ah, the best time of year for Catasetum growers! I'll have to check out your videos to get my fix!

[@NicoleDeanna]

Great content. My complex hybrids are starting to come out of dormancy now, while others are starting to sleep. I have like 10 at this point with very different watering needs. Im definitely waiting for the roots to get long, they are around 6 inches long and ready for water. I'll monitor shriveling of the back bulbs, excellent point. I want the roots extra strong this year.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Sounds like a good plan! Let me know if you have questions!

[@NicoleDeanna]

@@SVKLOrchids thanks! Going to see how long I can feasibly hold out before introducing water :D

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@NicoleDeanna Ha! It can be tough!!

[@annathey2222]

Thank you, Stephen. I have 4 3” clowesias from SVO. The pot was packed with old roots, some new roots and 5” new growths a piece. I worried because the back bulbs were really shriveled so I watered. But, based on this video, going forward no more watering until the lDt week of May. This must mean this is when fertilizing begins. I’m in N Central Texas, so I’m freaking out about leaving them outside. I started to take them outside a couple of hours a day. No greenhouse.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Ann Athey I’ve had my plants fully exposed to ambient temps since the start of the month. We’ve dropped down into the low forties a few times with no ill effect. If the plants are dry, cold temps are ok.

[@annathey2222]

Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis thank you again.

[@almacardinale630]

Hello I write from southern Italy, thanks to your videos I'm learning things about this orchid that I have for a short time, watching this video I was wondering what substrate you use...

[@SVKLOrchids]

Hi Alma - I use the PET method of potting for this group. Here’s a video describing how I pot them up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6mrhHp_n82Yl5I

[@danielwynne8568]

I enjoyed the video, what are the black plastic discs in the soil? I’m guessing they’re helping to keep the media from getting too soggy? Thanks in advance! Danny

[@SVKLOrchids]

Do you mean the black baskets? Those hold the fertilizer.

[@sergiy_sergio]

Hi Stephen! Nice tips! This small plastic baskets in a pots this is a some fertilise? Which fertilise you use?

[@SVKLOrchids]

I'm trying out Purely Organic fertilizer (purelyorganicfertilizer.com/) this year based on Sue Bottom's 2017 article (staugorchidsociety.org/PDF/PurelyOrganicFertilizerbySueBottom.pdf). I'll switch to time release Nutricote with cal-mag supplement in late summer, which is what I normally use.

[@sergiy_sergio]

@@SVKLOrchids thanks

[@sunshine467sun]

Hi Stephen, thank you so much for sharing the status of your plants! I have a couple of questions: 1. Are they in your green house now or already outside? 2. Do catasetums experience any shock when you move them from inside to outside? And how to avoid the shock? I’m in Northern California and my plants share very similar status with yours now.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Mine covered from rain but are exposed to ambient temperatures outside. I've found older growths (3-4" tall) less susceptible to shock than smaller ones. I've also found the shock is more related to position changes relative to light source than to temperatures. Try to keep young growths facing the same direction toward light source when small.

[@sunshine467sun]

Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis Thank you very much!!

[@annebroder9902]

Hi Stephen! This is the video I was waiting for! I bought a Fredclarckeara "After dark" about a month ago , it is the size of your tenebrosum I would say or a little smaller. It is planted in a regular, rather shallow pot and small bark. I could tell it had been watered. It is sporting a little palm tree like yours and the roots could be an inch long. I was thinking of the PET method for this, so did not water it. Is it too late to repot, I am afraid of damaging the roots now! And , I posted my very first 6 videos , you may like my Guarianthe aurantiaca var. flavum! Thank you!

[@SVKLOrchids]

I'll have to check out your video!! Also, I would say you're right to worry about the roots in repotting. If the media is still good, maybe next year?

[@annebroder9902]

@@SVKLOrchids Yes it is very exciting to make videos, hope you liked them! These featured each individual orchid in close up. Oh and I really enjoyed your luddemaniana. I saw young ones for sale in a nursery catalogue , but it is a gamble, these may turn out ordinary. Yours had an outstanding lip!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Anne Broder Even “ordinary” lueddemanniana put on a great show!

[@annebroder9902]

@@SVKLOrchids that's it! I need one!

[@loribadgero1035]

Stephen, I hope you get this message since this is an older video, but I have a Catasetum which still has green leaves, about eight of them between two large bulbs, although I have lost a few. Should I still be watering this plant so late in the year? Isn’t it abnormal to not be dormant yet? The bulbs are firm but the roots are a little soft, so I haven’t given it water/fertilizer for a few weeks.-concern for root rot. (I was told cut back watering to once a week after the leaves start to fall.). I had this plant in a PET set up but removed it due to a bulb feeling soft, so I took it out and put it in a Terra cotta pot with the substrate loosely packed around it to let it dry. I am not sure what I should be doing with the plant. TYIA for the help!

[@ono7077]

I am back here from FB . A great tips

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thanks!

[@jbravo469]

Hello Stephen. My catasetum plants are growing well, thanks to you. They are hanging in my back porch so they don't get wet for now. However I noticed some bugs on a few plants, can i spray them at this stage? I had to use orthene last year because the other friendlier chemicals did not work. Thanks in advance. Jackie

[@SVKLOrchids]

Yes, you can certainly spray for bugs! Nuke 'em!! lol

[@BC-fh3jt]

Thank you Steve for the sharing of knowledge. I have one question about Catasetum resting. I have a Catasetum pileatum. I heard that this species only needs a very short period of resting period, does it mean that the care of this species regarding resting is different? I notice a new growth at the base of the plant, and I wonder if I will rot the growth if I give water to it. Many thanks in advance.

[@SVKLOrchids]

I always let the plant tell me what it needs, including pileatum. I would give it a sip if the dormant bulbs are shriveling and then no water once the new growth comes out and sprouts roots. Water when the roots are 4" long. You're right about pileatum having a fairly short dormant period in the wild. I still treat them the same as my other Catasetums and they do great!

[@BC-fh3jt]

@@SVKLOrchids A million thanks, Steve :) Yeah, so now I should control myself not to water the plant, the old bulbs actually don't look shriveled, hope the new growth will thrive :D

[@steveclaflin594]

I had always assumed the "don't water until roots are x inches" was really to avoid causing the old roots to rot. My theory was that without leaves there was no place for the water to go within the plant. But then I always wondered why those old roots would work again later. So come next dormancy period I'll have to try that supplemental hydration, since my primary cause of catasetum failure is to have them never come out of dormancy and eventually just fade away.

[@OrchideenamFenster]

At the beginning you showed that single bulb with that tiny tiny new growth. I have a tenebrosum, looking just like that. Do you think she will come into a normal rythm this year? Or started the growe too late, to reach a normal size til the end of the summer?

[@SVKLOrchids]

Orchideen am Fenster Yes, they should do just fine! They probably won’t bloom for a few years though.

[@annebroder9902]

Hi Stephen! Could you please make a spot light on Neobenthamia gracilis if you still own it? I found a picture of your plant on Travaldos blog. I was researching this plant, as I have a tiny keiki which needs repotting ! Thank you and see you later, take care!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Hi Anne, Yes, I definitely can make a video! But in the meantime, I'll tell you how I grow mine to help with your keiki. I grow mine alongside my Cyrtpodiums in almost the same way. Media is a 50-50 mix of peat-sand in a clay pot. It gets time release fertilizer and full exposure to Texas sun when temperatures are warm enough. This species loves the heat and sun! I've seen photos of plants 6-8 feet tall if not given enough light. Mine stay a more manageable 2-3 feet tall.

[@annebroder9902]

@@SVKLOrchids Thank you so much for the tip Stephen! But I will bring it outside a bit later, can you imagine we are still experiencing frost up here in Montréal !

[@drvnguy]

Hello Stephen , when did you start using the little containers of slow release fertilizer?. I picked up a few and wanted your input on how effective this method is vs. sprinkling throughout the pot while repotting. I have Dynamite slow release What npk is yours ?

[@SVKLOrchids]

Steve I’m using the little containers for the Purely Organic fertilizer, which I’m trying out this year for the first time in earnest. It’s a powder, so I needed a container. I’ll probably go back to just sprinkling the time release stuff when I switch in summer. I use a balanced 13-13-13) Nutricote (same company as dynamite) time release.

[@afanofosc]

I had a single bulb Monnierara Millennium Magic 'Witchcraft' FCC/AOS which I kept in a cupboard bare root over the winter. I put it in sphagnum moss last spring and tried to wait as long as I could before watering it. I guess I started too soon and watered too much. The new growth never got very big - maybe I didn't give it enough fertilizer. Can you say how much you would give to a catesetum vs a cattleya? You mention in your video about fertilizing that you give them more but I'm not sure how much more. In any case, the bulb rotted and I didn't notice it was rotting until it was completely mush. The new growth is alive but quite small. Is it too late to grow before winter? Should I just let it dry and go dormant at this point and try for another new growth next spring?

[@SVKLOrchids]

Keep watering since it sounds like it doesn’t have any backup water storage system! If it drops leaves, then stop fertilizing and back of water, but not completely. I’d say fertilizer 2x as much as a Cattleya

[@krisng3465]

Hi Stephen, how often do you repot your catasetums? I heard ppl say every year since the old roots die and new roots will form. Thx

[@SVKLOrchids]

I repot when they outgrow the pot, which is usually every other year.

[@maureenswallow3054]

As much as I am enjoying this orchid and your vids,and would like to get started , It's looking nearly impossible to get started here. the only 'cat's I can find in England and in poor shape and expensive. I have seen some for sale in Germany that look in good health, but getting Hold of them as we have left the e u is both expensive and now require A lot of paperwork. Keep up the good work, Bill.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thanks, Bill! Come on over to the USA and we’ll see if we can get you some top notch orchids!

[@maureenswallow3054]

@@SVKLOrchids as much as we would all like to travel too your great country And state, in the current situation the cost in time(quarantine ) and money is at the moment Inhibiting to say the least!! I will for the time being enjoy your vids on this most interesting orchid. From a point of curiosity, there must be some large outlets that sell to the World?? Just a thought, Bill.

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@maureenswallow3054 yes, lots of vendors travel to Europe and the USA. I buy from Floralia and Bela Vista Orchids, both in Brazil. They send emails for preorders and ship from shows they attend. I suspect some of the American vendors do the same, though I’m not sure which ones! Ecuagenera also does the same thing

[@maureenswallow3054]

@@SVKLOrchids thank you

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@maureenswallow3054 No problem!

[@susanzomaya273]

Hi Stephen, I’m new to Catasetums and wonder if you cut off roots after the plant blooms and goes dormant.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Susan Zomaya I do not cut the roots until I repot. Even then I only cut off about half.

[@lAlicel]

Hello Stephen, First of all, thank you for this video! Not watering is so unnatural! I'm a beginner in Cata...I've had a Clowesia Grace Dunn "Chadds Ford" and a Fredclarkeara After Dark "SVO Black Pearl" for two years I think. I have never managed to make them bloom or even get good big bulbs (I am very bad with fertilizer). I decided that this year would be the year of success! If there is only ONE old, shriveled little bulb, should I water or not? The new bulbs are already making leaves and have roots of about 5cm for the moment. Thanks

[@SVKLOrchids]

If possible, I'd hold off on watering! Tough to say without seeing a photo of the shriveled bulb though.

[@lAlicel]

@@SVKLOrchids Here's a picture tof.cx/images/2020/05/06/53ad08588eebbf7e3b34939f0572a375.jpg

[@attilio3081]

Good... My name is attilio and I live near Venice, Italy. I like a lot your videos. I would like to ask you an information I have a greenhouse in which the minimum temperature in the night is +5 and during the day the maximum is 28 Can I put my catasetum during the rest period at those temperatures? I look forward to your feedback. Thank you in advance to answer me and best regards

[@SVKLOrchids]

Attilio Scappin They can handle those temperatures only if dry and ideally, infrequently. Is it possible to get the nighttime temperature up to 50?

[@attilio3081]

@@SVKLOrchids Yes, I can do it, but the Fredklarkeara needs during rest periods minimal temperature of 5 Celsius and max 28 Celsius to flowering, so I ask you if I can do the same with catasetum and cycnoches?

[@kagie58]

@@attilio3081 During the dormant period, the pbs should not be below 20 ° C

[@latalaxmanjohnson3897]

Hi Stephen, It is June and I dont see roots on the side walls of most of my catasetums. They still have small roots. The bulb are shriveling so last Friday I watered them all. Should I stop watering at this time and let it grow more roots ?? Also I have one that is growing many roots above the container that are 3-4" long. All my 8 Catasetum crosses were re-potted last month PET method like showed on your video. Please advise.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Lata Johnson My plants are also mostly behind schedule this year. Not sure why! I think giving them a drink to fatten the bulb and letting them dry is a good idea. That’s what I’ve been doing as well!

[@bc2855]

Hi! Thank you for the tips. I have a Monnierara Millenium Magic Witchcraft , it has two new bulbs and they already have new roots . The problem is that the roots on one of the bulbs stop growing . I don’t know if the problem is because the humidity in the house started to decrease and I started to sprinkle some water or because I haven’t pot it yet. Can you help me? Thank you, and have a nice day!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Tough to say! New roots can start to die if the humidity is too low and they have a long way to travel until entering the media. Also, they can die if they hit wet media. If you have one growth with good roots, I think your plan will ok!

[@bc2855]

Thank you! I will try to increase humidity around my plant! That was really helpful! 🌸

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@bc2855 You're welcome!

[@evarene07]

Do I let young catasetum plants go into dormancy, or do I continue to water their small pseudo bulbs them during the winter months?

[@SVKLOrchids]

You can give them sips of water through the winter. Just make sure temperatures are above 55 degrees and they dry quickly. Keep them bone dry when the new roots start.

[@aaronowen4425]

great video! I have a monnierara "witchcraft" I got it a year ago dormant. I grew it this past summer and seemed to do well (pseudo bulb from this past summer is quite a bit bigger than the previous one) However it did not bloom which is ok may not be big enough yet. However, now (Nov. 14th) it is beginning to go dormant and drop it's leaves so I am slowing down on the water. I noticed this morning there is something swelling at the base (either a new growth or a bloom but it is too small to be able to tell yet) My question is what do I do? with it sending out some sort of growth now do I start back up watering it or do I continue to dry it out for dormancy? If its a new growth and not a bloom do I skip the dormancy this winter and grow it like I did during the summer and continue watering or will it just kind of sit there till spring? Thank you for any help

[@SVKLOrchids]

Let it go dry and start watering again in 3 months. That will give it a good dormancy and will prevent it from getting out of whack with the seasons.

[@aaronowen4425]

@@SVKLOrchids Thank you - I will do that. I may be having a case of wishful thinking but after looking at it closer it might accidentally be a flower spike. seems to be a little different shape from what I remember the growth looking like this past spring when it sprouted.

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@aaronowen4425 Ah, even better!

[@stumpothebrave]

Some of my castinae have growths of 6" the days are approx 30 celcius start of summer cools down in March is that enough time for maximum growth thanks

[@SVKLOrchids]

Sorry for the delayed response! That might be enough for full growth, but your temps might start getting cool while the newly grown bulbs are maturing. Shouldn't be a problem!

[@soniacristinadutragoncalve609]

Amuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu catasetum 😍

[@SVKLOrchids]

Ha! Me too!

[@jennrisinger2483]

Hi Stephen! I was also waiting for this video. I have a question. I have a Clowesia Grace Dunn x Mormodes Jumbo Bacia. The new growth is about 5" and the new roots are about 3". The old bulb is very thick and plump but the new growth's leaves look crinkled. Why is the new growth looking like that? Should I start watering it or wait some more? I'm in Central FL. The weather has been hot and dry here.

[@SVKLOrchids]

I would not water yet. The odd shaped leaves will sort themselves out when you finally do water. Some species/hybrids are more prone to this than others, but I've never seen it negatively affect the new growth, especially if the back bulbs are fat.

[@mariammajohn5263]

Hi Stephen, I love orchids. Can you pls tell me where can I get some catasetum? Rare earth orchids in Baytown still open for purchase? Please let me know..

[@SVKLOrchids]

Yes, Rare Earth is still open. They have two sales per year so you need to get on their email list. Stephen Moffitt will send out an email with the list. Sunset Valley Orchids is the best place to find Catasetum in the US.

[@mariammajohn5263]

Thank you for the quick reply. I live near Baytown and I thought I could go there and pick some!

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@mariammajohn5263 Ah, unfortunately i don’t believe he’s open for general visitation! But you might email him and check!

[@lourdesalbellar7973]

Hi. Do they go in to dormancy by them self or Do I need to “force” them. Mine never lost a leaf

[@SVKLOrchids]

Lourdes Albellar No need to force them, unless you need space when bringing them in for winter. Some of the complex hybrids won’t lose their leaves.

[@lourdesalbellar7973]

Thank so much Stephen. And thank you for all your tips.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Lourdes Albellar Glad to help!

[@mesandz2623]

Can I put my ting roots catasedium on warm mat_ without watering?

[@SVKLOrchids]

If there’s still media on the pot, you probably could do that

[@mesandz2623]

@@SVKLOrchids I,ve done the PET Method without adding water. One plant has about 3 inches of leaf and other one is very small bulbs with ting roots also in PET _ no water added. Both plants are on warm mat.. I live in London not ideal orchid condition. They new plants

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@mesandz2623 sounds good to me! A heat mat should work well!

[@stumpothebrave]

There has been plenty of rain in Nsw australia getting rot in the main growth have you a suggestion to curb that....Graeme Talbot

[@SVKLOrchids]

Shoot, cut off the mushy parts and add cinnamon. Can you get them under a roof until they new roots are long enough to water?

[@lyndamodeste7902]

Hi, I have a cat each year I get a new growth but no flowers what am I doing wrong? thanks in advance

[@SVKLOrchids]

Are they big enough to be mature and capable of giving flowers? If so, then you’ll likely need stronger light for blooms. However, it’s tough to diagnose without knowing your conditions!

[@lyndamodeste7902]

@@SVKLOrchids i live in the tropical island Trinidad 🇹🇹, yes its a big healthy 🍃growth i put it out in the sun when it started growing. It's the black pearl, it did bloom for me once but never again & I've had it for 5 years. I water and fertilize but no bloom spike. Currently its now big and 🍃 but looks like it's going bk dormant because the bottom 🍃 is yellowing. Hop this give you a better idea. What should I do? O yea its in moss

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@lyndamodeste7902 I would try more light! Can you send me photos on Instagram or Facebook?

[@lyndamodeste7902]

@@SVKLOrchids sure what you ig?