Orchid experiment: trying to grow the Catasetum types Fredclarkeara & Clowesetum!

This week Plant Lovers a roller coaster of a video covering twelve months in my attempt to grow some Catasetum type hybrids, Fredclarkeara & Clowesetum! (And I keep calling the Clowesetum a Clowesia so do forgive that!!) I bought four in a flurry of excitement, then decided after one season of successful growth to buy another WILDLY expensive one...! None have flowered and I nearly killed ALL of them last autumn by leaving them outside too late in the season with damp leaves as they were going into dormancy causing rot in all of the pseudobulbs! I lost one and the wildly expensive one is on life support.....so join me on the roller coaster and lets see if next year there's a better result! And if you grow any of these types in a climate similar to mine I'd love to know your tips! The orchids I cover in this video are: Clowesetum Penang Waltz
Fredclarkeara Midnight Lace
Fredclarkeara After Dark
Fredclarkeara After dark 'Bakers Black Hole'

[@paprikagirl5496]

I have an 'After Dark' - it did not bloom for me the first year of growing a nice new bulb, but I also learned the hard way that it is very very sensitive to getting 'wet' - even in the growth phase. First year some water got into the crown and younger leaves rotted and died. (just the very youngest newest leaves) More leaves grew but later in the summer and no blooms that year. The next year, I watered only from the bottom of the pot. I had a self-watering setup and simply refilled the reservoir as much as it needed -- never watered or misted etc from the top. Lots of fertilizer granules and added calcium. This worked great. It produced 2 stalks of beautiful blooms, no rotting all well.

[@helloplantlovers]

Ah interesting! Thank you.

[@stephanthomson4804]

How do you make use of fertilizer granules, presumably on top of the media(?), if watering from below? They need water to run past them, no?

[@nariepittman4632]

I repot mine straight after they go dormant and you stop watering. Add your fertiliser, trim roots etc just like you did but then just leave them. I always plant them in clear pots (actual honey buckets you buy from the supermarket). Just solder iron some drainage holes . This way you can see the roots of the new growth. I always wait until new roots are at the very least four inches, if not longer before watering. I hope this helps. Hervey Bay here.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@louanncaron2543]

I've met Fred Clark a few times. He has been a guest speaker at our orchid society here in South Carolina and we will see him again in July. He did an amazing presentation on Catasetums, Mormodes and Cycnoches. Mr. Clark hails from sunny (or not so sunny these days) California where he grows these lovelies at Sunset Valley Orchids. I love these orchids, but haven't tried my hand at one. If anyone would know what you are doing right or wrong it's Fred Clark. It would be awesome if your orchid society could have him as a speaker. I looked at his 2023 schedule, he looks booked, but he does do Zoom meetings. I see on his schedule that he will be at the National Orchid Expo Show in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept 28-Oct 1st.

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh interesting!!! Thank you - it would be amazing to hear from the man himself!

[@deemaxwell4172]

I've been growing Catasetum hybrids for 3 years, indoors in the sunniest windows (here in Montreal) and had similar experiences to you. Mine finally started to thrive and bloom when I upped the fertilizer (did not use slow release before) and changed the medium by removing all sphag and did a mix of medium bark, perlite and a lot of coco husk. I watered like crazy during the growth period and got 3 out of 5 plants to bloom (the other two I got as teeny tiny babies so still were a bit young perhaps?). However, I could not put them outside in the sun as most Catasetum leaves will "sweat" out excess moisture with sticky sweat beads which drive the yellow jacket wasps here CRAZY!!! But none have ever bloomed twice in a year. Cycnodes Wine Delight (devine cherry fragrance) bloomed last year and this year in November, the Monnierara Millennium Magic Witchcraft (licorice/black pepper fragrance) bloomed for first tie in June and Fredclarkeara Black Pearl for first time in August. That one was so huge I ended up putting rocks in bottom of pot to stop it from tipping over! It had two flower spikes but one aborted shortly after about an inch or so.

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh thank you!! Interesting! I'm determined to get a better result this year!

[@Meskarune]

@@helloplantlovers how did this year go with the catasetums?

[@helloplantlovers]

Jury's out! They are either just coming out of dormancy or two have flower spikes! I'm getting there - hard to grow in Melbourne. @@Meskarune

[@johnm91326]

These can definitely take our winter temperatures if they’re completely dry and protected from frost. If you’re still having issues, once they enter dormancy you can just treat them like bulbs and store them bare rooted.

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh interesting! Thank you!

[@brigitteweich3534]

Omg Mathew, I wish I could come over for a cup of tea to talk all things orchids. I listen to your videos weekly and it has helped me so much - even on days when I feel a bit dispirited. Thank you so much 🌸 On another note - exactly the same thing happened to me with my Catasetum as it is winter now in Cape Town. I rushed my catasetum into ER for emergency surgery, removed all the squishy bits and then tried to keep it dry. But tragedy struck again, our roof started leaking from all the rain we’ve been having and that was the death knell for my catasetum. I have one left that seems to be doing ok and is resting in my orchid ICU. Fingers crossed. All of the best for you and your lovely plants in Melbourne.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you! Mine are all now sitting on a sunny winters window sill....we'll see!

[@brigitteweich3534]

@@helloplantlovers Lovely, I think I will try the same with my orchids wintering inside. All of the best from cold and rainy Cape Town.

[@peregrinplants]

I know you have one video on jewel orchids; I would love some more information or updates on yours! I am so fascinated by their ornate little leaves.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you - I certainly will if there's anything interesting to add!

[@sandramynard1046]

Further to my previous post about my catasetum 10 months ago, it currently has one magnificent flower grown inside in Melbourne in a north facing window with Cattleyas and phalaenopsis 😊

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh good to know! Thanks for the intel!

[@elpilarorchids]

howdy! I know this is an older video, but wanted to tell you that we also have nearly the exact same experience as you. they grow so well with nice bulbs, but we haven't been able to get and to bloom in 3 years. we have a couple fdk after darks and some hybrids, and one species. hopefully this year we can get them to bloom, but several people have said we need to give them more light in the winter. so we got some lights and are gonna try it. we are in west central germany, btw...so similar (?) conditions. hope you have better luck! I think I remember you showing one in bloom at some point this year? thanks for all the great vidz!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! No - still no blooms!! But I've just brought them in for winter and they are in bright light so we'll see!

[@elpilarorchids]

@@helloplantlovers ah, ok... sorry to hear that, but good luck to you! ours are about to move outside for the summer, and we are hopeful this year. trying a couple in semi-hydroponics to see if it makes any difference

[@orchidelirium9102]

Clowesias are so cute and compact. These types are so fun. It’s very interesting to see how they grow in different conditions. Good luck this year.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you!

[@annaredfield2176]

Thank you Matthew! I look forward to your entertaining and informative videos each week.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you very much!

[@michellesorensen8259]

After these are dormant place them in full sun in temperatures similar to your home. If the bulbs are large enough to bloom you will begin to see spikes in about 30 days. I had similar results to yours for years. Now the bulbs double in size every year. Also, you can split the bulbs after dormancy and all of the bulbs will put out new growths. I hope you get to see and smell their fabulous flowers this year. And thank you for your tips on bifrenaria. They have helped me tremendously!

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh thank you! Let's see how I go this season!

[@OrchidboyTroy]

I’m experimenting with my first Catasetum orchid currently. I will have to let you know what I discover along the way. We do grow in much different environments so I’m sure the journey will be a touch different. I live in the tip of the American south. So the yearly average for humidity is 80%, which helps me maintain higher humidity indoors, but my temperatures don’t allow me to grow outside from October until May so now I strictly keep my collection inside (acclimatizing is just too much with so many plants haha) my grow space will reach 88-91F during the day and 68F during the night. So we shall see how it fairs amongst my other orchids and we will see if I have what it takes to grow them haha thanks as always for sharing!! Your videos always bring me such joy 😊

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! Mine are just beginning to lurch back into life as spring springs....and I'm determined to focus more on them this year!

[@rogamildien]

Oh,I soooo love this orchid Thank you

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@rasaakstinaite]

I'm growing a Fredclarkeara for the first time as well. Got it in June with a relatively sizeable new growth and it's got a mature bulb now. I'm based in Scotland (UK), so it's the depth of winter at the moment and it still doesn't look like it's going dormant... Go figure! I have stopped watering it I think end of November or beginning of December, so we'll see what happens! Keep us updated on your progress :)

[@helloplantlovers]

I will - good luck with yours!

[@user-cr3eb5wv8z]

Hi, Matthew, orchids patio does not have good reviews online and quite a few of my orchids group members had very bad experience with them. I just start the Catasetum / Clowesia / Fredclarkeara lately and I got mine from Pacific Beach Orchids. Thanks for sharing.

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh thank you - I've never heard of Pacific Beach Orchids - just had a look - fantastic! Always great to find a new supplier!

[@garyhendricks7303]

I hope you find this useful, anyway I really enjoy your channel ,keep on growing you will get it right

[@leilal544]

Mathew I don’t know which one are lovelier, you or your orchids?! 😊 your video has such a wonderful positive vibes, wishing you and your partner and all your plants all the best 😊

[@sandramynard1046]

Haven’t seen your more recent vids for a while, haven’t got the room or conditions for more but bought a tiny tiny catasetum, repotted it & its growing. Read you can grow indoors, not sure what will happen with mine, read no water in water yada yadda, fingers crossed til it gets bigger, is still alive and I’ll try following cultivation.

[@helloplantlovers]

Well its a learning curve for me too so good luck with yours!

[@PhillipMcCallum]

I wish you luck, here in Brisbane they grow and flower, I have around 100. Keep dry in winter, feed and water when them in warmer weather. May I suggest you watch Fred Clark youtube . He suggested you don't water till the roots are about 3inches long. I have a mate in Victoria who has tried catesetums but solar failed, The first year I removed all medium and stored them like spuds till they started to shoot. I wish you all the best there a challenge and most beautiful orchid, related to cymbidiums

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh thank you!! I'll watch his videos!

[@besottedorchids3605]

Ohio, US. Indoors bark moss mixture. My cycnodes wine delight, had mere two blooms this yr. I will add more slow release fertilizer as you have done next yr.

[@helloplantlovers]

Two blooms; WAY better than my one dead plant and none!!!!

[@lilresende6275]

Thanks so much for your video! My Monnierara Millennium Magic 'Witchcraft' seems to have all roots rotten but a nice sized pseubulb. I realised I was watering too much and removed all the medium in the hopes it grows new roots now. Any advice welcome!

[@helloplantlovers]

OOhh I'm no expert on these AL ALL! Depends where you are in the world and what season you're in. If you're in Australia I would just keep the bulb somewhere bright, DRY and cool until you see any new growths emerge in spring and then when the roots on these new growths are three-ish cm long pot it up. Good luck! If the bulb hasn't rotted you might well be able to get it to sprout in spring!

[@lilresende6275]

@@helloplantlovers Thanks so much for your kind answer! I am based in UK and I just realised roots are dry but no rot (phew) I will keep it dry and see whether I can save it. Have a great weekend!

[@garyhendricks7303]

Have you ever checked out Stephan Van Kampen Lewis channel very good on datasets and same culture .I live in Ohio use a lot of what he says but modify for my area

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh thank you - No! Hadn't seen him before - I shall watch everything!

[@MyriamMyriMy]

Balearic Islands Spain in semihidroponia!!! In winter nothing water.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@tracystrombotne2855]

Can you do a follow up on this ?

[@helloplantlovers]

I will if any of them flower!!

[@PhillipMcCallum]

Fredclarks talk

[@masondanshortyfaddoul2596]

Great video mattew did you end up dividing the miltoniopsis?

[@helloplantlovers]

Not in the end!

[@masondanshortyfaddoul2596]

@@helloplantlovers please keep me in mind if you do , love to buy a division from you mattew

[@helloplantlovers]

@@masondanshortyfaddoul2596 Will do!

[@pjjones4991]

Mathew, I just went through two long KZbin vids w/ Fred Clark and he mentions that Clowesetum always lose their back bulbs! "You start with three or four and end up with one and a new growth..." perhaps you did nothing wrong....just saying.

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh that's interesting! These were VERY dead however! Not an ounce of life...I still have three doing well though!

[@naf8242]

I have the Monnierara Millennium Magic ‘Witchcraft’, I got it last year in April it quickly grew a new pseudobulb and it bloomed in November! It has not dropped its leaves yet and when I stopped watering after it bloomed the old pseudobulb shriveled so bad I had to water it again. I have no idea what to do, how do I know if it’s dormant since everywhere I look for information it says that when they drop the leaves is when they are dormant? I am seeing a new growth now and Im planning to repot it this coming weekend, do you think I should continue watering?

[@helloplantlovers]

Firstly - I'm NO expert! And I don't grow this one. But if it were mine I think the thing to try and do is gradually decrease watering as it goes into dormancy, rather than stop completely - leave more and more time between waterings and lessen the amount until you stop. I think you're more likely to kill it through over watering than under! Then wait until the new growth is a good 10cm tall before you start watering again. Good luck!

[@naf8242]

@@helloplantlovers Thank you Matthew! You might not be an expert but you are so much knowledgeable than I am, I am always in awe about all the information that you always provide to us. BTW, I decided to contact a local grower and he told me that in this area, apparently, not all catasetums go into dormancy. It seems that they need temperatures to drop under 10 C/50F to do that and since I’m growing mine indoor we don’t have that temperature inside the house. I appreciate your response, hopefully we’ll both get beautiful blooms this year.

[@keepsmiling704]

Do these orchids bloom from all the bulbs or just the new growth ?

[@helloplantlovers]

Well as mine haven't bloomed I can't say with any authority! I believe from the previous year's bulb.

[@keepsmiling704]

@@helloplantlovers wishing you all the luck... i will be watching as I have no doubt you will be showing us all , your beautiful blooms

[@besottedorchids3605]

Mine bloomed from the current growth

[@keepsmiling704]

@@besottedorchids3605 I ordered one in December and it was MUSH when I got it. I was so disappointed and of course a little lighter in the wallet . Now you can't even find any.. I so wanted to give them a go.. I hope to get my hands on at least one , they look so interesting .

[@helloplantlovers]

@@besottedorchids3605 Aha!!!

[@iosephvscarrizozae7887]

Switch to plastic pots, I will do it this year, because I also have them in Terracota pots and they need a TON of water and fertilizer. And I they had given me ridicuosly small pseudobulbs... 🫠 I will recomend also to grow them indoors, they like warm weather plus they are magnets to pests

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you - and thanks for watching!