PET potting method for Catasetums- English

[@TropiChic]

Finally! I have been watching the Brazilian ones with no English subtitles, figuring it out on my own. This adds so much more information. Really appreciate it. Thanks!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Ha! I’ve done plenty of that myself!!

[@TropiChic]

Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis 😆

[@LJ-hr1yu]

Thanks for the speedy reply and info.

[@SHARONSHORTOrchidsandGarden]

I didn't stop watering until recently. It's not dead, but have plenty of roots...If I can get it back on track, I'll take better care...Thanks for sharing and happy growing.

[@SVKLOrchids]

SHARON SHORT' Orchids and Garden Hopefully it perks back up soon! Let me know if you have questions!

[@debbiethomas3687]

I enjoyed that, thanks Steve. I bought my first catasetum a couple of years ago and used a similar method after I read it online, but kept mine in the pot in the bottle. I used clay balls and sphagnum, and layered with slow release fertilizer. The first year I had really good results with 3 spikes, but last year it was really cold, damp, and gloomy until the middle of June and all my orchids were really slow getting into growth so I only got one decent spike - the second blasted. This year I'm potting directly into the bottles and hoping summer starts when it should.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Debbie Thomas Let me know how it goes!

[@woowooone]

Hello and thank you so much for this video tutorial. I'm going to put my 3 into this pet method as you have instructed. But can you share the link to the video where you show how to make the wire hangers?

[@momepenni]

Good video, it answered a few questions. Everyone else says loss spagdom moss. I first heard you (Fred Clarke Discussing Catasetums at the Atlantic Orchid Society.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thanks! Let me know if you ever have questions!

[@momepenni]

@@SVKLOrchids I do have question on your new video on PET potting method

[@vickystojmenov8046]

Once again Great video, thank you very much , even though I watched it many times I still refer to it when I have to do repotting. Thanks again for sharing your expertise.👍🏻👍🏻

[@SVKLOrchids]

Glad to do it!

[@andredumas9547]

Hi Stephen, wonderful, so that is the PET method, I will try it for my catasetum. Thanks a lot for this informative and interesting video.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thank you!

[@YnseSchaap]

Got my first catasetums yesterday the're nowhere near what you have but this will help in the future 😁

[@SVKLOrchids]

Ynse Schaap Every great journey starts with the first step!! Let me know if you have questions!!

[@YnseSchaap]

@@SVKLOrchids I will

[@MyGreenPets]

Really excited to see how this grows. Great video!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thank! I'll make a general Catasetum care video soon.

[@kellyduguay3368]

Thanks for sharing! I'm always up to watch more informative / alternative growing method videos. Looking forward to more.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thanks, Kelly! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@momepenni]

The only thing I was thinking is you didn’t leave room on the sides for new growth????? Is that because your new growth was growing in the middle???? My new growth was growing out sideways. So I repotted it to set straight up and old growth was sideways. It had so many new roots it need a new pot anyway. Roots were coming out bottom.

[@SVKLOrchids]

I try to only use a pot big enough for 2 years growth. Often, it works out to only be large enough for a single season's growth.

[@loribadgero1035]

What do you do if the plant started growing roots, but then stopped?

[@SVKLOrchids]

That's a tough question. You can either let them dry and hope they regrow or pour on the water if you think they're done growing and have aborted. Hopefully another flush of roots will push out midway through the growth cycle.

[@scottgordon1781]

Lots of great tips , thanks again . Nice to see how you have different media :-) I de scale as I think the bulbs would like more light :-)

[@SVKLOrchids]

Yes, there are a lot of media choices for this potting technique!

[@thomasmirenda1541]

Thanks Stephen! I love learning new techniques like this....well done!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thanks Tom! I hope Hilo is treating you well! I remember the toughest part of moving to Hilo was remembering the street names! Lol

[@LJ-hr1yu]

Where are you getting your catasetums? Any place in Austin? I am often there visiting family. Another commentor from Houston mentions purchasing 14 in one shot! Where?

[@SVKLOrchids]

In Austin, Millers Tropicals are the only orchid place to buy plants. They might have a few Catasetums, but not many. You really have to go online for Catasetums. I buy some from Stephen Moffitt (catasetinae.com/) or Fred Clarke (sunsetvalleyorchids.com/) when he's in Texas. I also get imports from Bela Vista and Floralia, but I also make a lot of trades with people.

[@junefiorito3691]

What did you place at the bottom of the pot? I guess I missed that info!

[@SVKLOrchids]

It’s ecoweb! You can use rocks though.

[@TropiChic]

Re: tightly packed spahagnum moss, why does it sometimes emit a chemical odor? Wondering if I packed excessive moss on the top layer.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Not sure! I’ve never experienced that!

[@MattbyNature]

Let's see if I can make it work! Thanks a lot for your information!

[@SVKLOrchids]

I’ve updated my techniques here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6mrhHp_n82Yl5I

[@MattbyNature]

@@SVKLOrchids Just finished watching that one as well - wanted to go chronologically to understand the rationale

[@augustin97410]

very very interessting , thank you a lot

[@SVKLOrchids]

My pleasure! I’ve got newer videos with updated techniques as well!

[@crystal_the_super_bunny]

What’s the brand for time release cal-mag?

[@SVKLOrchids]

I was using this one, which was available at hardware stores back then. www.jonathangreen.com/product/mag-i-cal-plus-lawns-acidic-soil-food.html

[@antennamondo.x]

thanks for the Vid and the method hint... i will try it with my Catas... cheers from germany ;)

[@SVKLOrchids]

You’re welcome! I’ve actually got a newer video with some updated potting techniques: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6mrhHp_n82Yl5I

[@antennamondo.x]

@@SVKLOrchids Hi, btw " Van Kampen" sounds dutch to me.. iam myself 1/3 dutch/netherlands ;) and live near the border.... i will check your channel step by step the next weeks... keep up your work....

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@antennamondo.x Yes, I'm half dutch! Good to meet you!

[@ordogke]

I liked the video a lot and will try this method this year :-) I would like to ask though what the N-P-K is of the slow release fertilizer. Thank you.

[@SVKLOrchids]

A balanced fertilizer would work! I think the fertilizer was around 18-6-8. They’ve changed the formula since then.

[@ordogke]

@@SVKLOrchids thank you

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@ordogke You’re welcome! I’ve also got a newer video here with updated potting method: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6mrhHp_n82Yl5I

[@ordogke]

@@SVKLOrchids thank you very much 😊

[@ceeteemcdee4126]

Thank you for your informative content! I have many questions but will stick to one for now. I have a black pearl after dark catasetum and it's getting it's new growth in...It seems pretty late in the season for this but I think I screwed it's cycles up by repotting it shortly after hubby got it for me a couple of years ago.. I didn't know anything about them at all. But anyway it's last repot was with this method and the growth has been somewhat lame. Probably my fault. I'm ready to repot again BUT have a new growth that's halfway up one of the bulbs. Do I pull that bulb off as a division? Do I bury the bulb halfway or lay it sideways? Or should I cut the new growth off with a sharp sterile razor blade and leave the bulb with the rest of the orchid? I wish I could post pics here! I don't want to kill this orchid, it's the only catasetum that I have ( or probably ever will, lol ) My favorites are the cattleyas and dendrobiums but I've recently had most of my dendrobiums decimated by bugs and it broke my heart so I'm hesitant to buy more. Sorry if I rambled and thanks for your time 🙂

[@SVKLOrchids]

I prefer to lay them down when they grow halfway up the bulb, but burying them deep is certainly a viable alternative. Only cut it off if you plan to throw away the small new growth. And don't worry about killing plants! The best growers are the ones that have killed the most!! It's definitely a learning process, so buy them with the understanding that they might be dead in a year or two, but that you'll learn something new about their culture along the way! I definitely recommend joining your local society, if possible. There will be tons of great information and tips there from local growers.

[@ceeteemcdee4126]

@@SVKLOrchids Thank you! I was thinking of finding a local orchid society around here ( I live close to the central Florida east coast, Brevard county ). I'll probably go with the division/ potting it laying down as I'd be worried about the bulb rotting? It's still a small plant, though. But at an orchid show the year before last, there were plants of it's size going for over 100$ ! I picked up some nice plastic food storage containers at the Dollar Tree store that should be perfect for the larger section and I'll wash and reuse the existing container for the division. I'll also be remembering your advice about keeping them firmly anchored - I think it may have been a bit wobbly. Cheap wood burning kits from harbor freight are also good for burning holes - don't know if they are cheaper than a soldering iron?

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@ceeteemcdee4126 sounds like a plan! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@pauladixon-williams3246]

Hi. Is the PET method only good for the Catasetum type of orchids? Thanks!

[@SVKLOrchids]

That’s a really good question, that I’ve wondered about for years! I’ve often considered trying to grow some of the deciduous Dendrobiums this way. I think that’s a long winded answer for “I’m not sure!” I’ve never seen anyone try growing other orchids in PET

[@pauladixon-williams3246]

I may try some deciduous dens. I think I have one already in the PET method. I’ll let you know what happens. 👍🏾

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@pauladixon-williams3246 please let me know how it goes! Feel free to hit me up on Instagram, Facebook, or Reddit

[@MarieSanders-w9l]

Do you still use purely organic fertilizer as a top dressing or another way for other orchids?

[@SVKLOrchids]

I still use it for my Catasetums but I stuff it into small black baskets and get it wet so it turned into a slowly dissolving block

[@MarieSanders-w9l]

@@SVKLOrchids did you try it on maxima or warscewiczii? I don’t use my routine extended release on them due to extension into testing period. Wondered it P.O. would be ok starting Jan or Feb?

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@MarieSanders-w9l yes, Cattleyas love it!

[@HamimChowdhury]

I am back again !! I wish the weather almost similar like yours less temperature. We have summer max 89F winter min 9C humidity never drop 50% But we have 5 month rain and sometimes raining in a row 4/5 days , Now at this situation Catsm in PET method out side green house May enjoy a lot . But I am worried of moss . Miss hold a lot of water which bark does not . So in my case moss may not be dry in 19-12 days . And that cause a lot of plants root Loss . Now seeking advice . If I want to replace moss with rice skin ! Which hold Mistiri not water . That ingredients sound good for me in summer !! How do you think !!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Hamim CHOWDHURY I’ve never heard of rice skin, so I can’t offer advice. However, you can probably use a thin layer of spagnum on top, rather than the thick layer I use. Catasetums love wet roots when growing, so long term wetness is OK.

[@woowooone]

Is this good for other types of orchids as well?

[@SVKLOrchids]

I’m not sure! I’ve wondered that as well

[@woowooone]

@SVKLOrchids thank you!

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@woowooone no problem!

[@debbiezografos3622]

I so enjoyed this video. And PLEASE do more. I am new to catasetums and just got some (14) and thought they would like it here. So if they like Austin, surely they will like Houston. :) Hope they like me because I sure like them and I have just begun.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Hi Debbie, You and I were chatting today Bernie's Facebook site today. Hopefully you're a member of the Houston Orchid Society. There are some great folks over there who've been growing for decades. Stephen Moffitt is a Houston grower with an amazing Catasetum collection that he sells divisions from 2x per year. Anyway, my next video will be a care video for Catasetums. I hope to record it soon! Thanks for the kind words!

[@debbiezografos3622]

@@SVKLOrchids Hey Stephen, I just saw this. Not so good with technology. so sorry about the delay. I am not a member but I am going to the show coming up. Is he in Baytown as well? Is he Earth Orchids???? I got on his mailing list. yay If my "leafing" is lightish green, would that indicate too much light? I never had catasetums so I am so green. hahaha, green. I am learning the hard way, I feel. I bought 3 "growths" online which were bulbs. (overseas) 2 rotted in route and I still have the other one. The seller sent me 2 replacements. :) but for the money I spent I should have probably brought ONE bigger plant. Plus no clue on if they are going out or coming in. UGH But I am learning. I have 14. Waiting on the show to see what they will have and I mother hen the ones I have. just bc I enjoy them and love to watch their progress. Thanks for the help and the tips/tricks and with the people in the know . Do you use the 3 in 1 with your orchids??? I went to Southwest Fert yesterday to get some and they didn't know much knowledge on their chemicals. Would you think aphids would go after roots????

[@debbiezografos3622]

@@SVKLOrchids did my long reply disappear???

[@debbiezografos3622]

I see it. my goodness.

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@debbiezografos3622 Yes, Stephen is in Baytown and is the owner of Rare Earth Orchids (catasetinae.com/about.htm). Light green leaves are perfect! This group thrives on strong sun.

[@pattislattery2414]

Love your videos they've been very helpful first time Cato sedum owner. I've heard you suggest no watering or movement until they have minimum 4-in root system mine is in a very small pot has new growth and roots are probably only about 3 in wondering if I should transplant would love to do the PET method not sure if I'm going to damage it or not

[@SVKLOrchids]

I would wait until next year! You’ll end up damaging the roots if you repot now.

[@pattislattery2414]

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I look forward to more of your videos ☺️

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@pattislattery2414 Thanks! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@Paul-mn8ql]

Hey Steven. Tried to find the inert media and no such luck. I do have some "real" tree fern or I was thinking maybe "growstone" but I'm not too sure... I was thinking if I use stones the thing would weigh 5 lbs or so - something a little lighter would be better! Leca is probably a bad idea because it will accumulate salts. Any ideas? Thanks for the video. It solved a huge problem I was having as my Catasetums all seem to be on a different schedule.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Try looking for EpiWeb. Its the same as EcoWeb! Glass marbles in the bottom might be less heavy than rocks or you could use styrofoam peanuts (the kind that don't melt) for even lighter materials. Anything that doesn't breakdown over time will work.

[@TropiChic]

Help! Got my first catasetum about a week ago via USPS. It dropped all its leaves, then I repotted into a larger pot just yesterday. I did not want to disturb its healthy long roots so I just stuck the whole sphagnum moss rootball in a larger pot and added potting media. Should I have removed the moss and cut the roots? I live in a tropical climate but will grow the catasetum indoors in a cool bright room to keep it from being rained on. I'm willing to try the PET method. Thanks!

[@SVKLOrchids]

I think should be ok. Then you can repot in the spring when the new growth starts.

[@TropiChic]

Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis Ok. I'll leave as is and shall not water until then. Thanks

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@TropiChic You can give a few sips of water if the bulbs shrivel. However, once the new growth starts, then keep it bone dry until new roots are minimum 4” long

[@ArmandoBetancourt]

Can you post an update how this plant developed after the growing season? Thanks

[@SVKLOrchids]

Hi Armando, This plant outgrew its "pot" in a single season, so I'll chop it up sometime later this month. I could make a video of it as an update. In the meantime, you can see it in this November video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYeleWp7fb5_hcU And also in this video William Green made when he visited my greenhouse just after Christmas: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2ash5mEg757iLM

[@ArmandoBetancourt]

@@SVKLOrchids Thanks a lot, very informative and this will help the Catasetums community!!.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Armando Betancourt Check out my newest video. I do a quick update there.

[@fmt_Guåhan]

Can I use coconut husks versus the EcoWeb and sphagnum moss?

[@SVKLOrchids]

Tina Terlaje- Probably not. You’ll need an inorganic media on the bottom of the pot. Anything will work, as long as it doesn’t break down. The top layer should be spag as well. I think coconut husk would work as the middle layer.

[@DoctaPanda82]

Thanks for the video! So you fill up the reservoir after Menorial Day. After that point, how often do you find yourself refilling the reservoir? Do you wait until there is no more water left?

[@SVKLOrchids]

DoctaPanda82 I actually like to hit them with water everyday if temperatures are above 95 degrees, every other day above 85 degrees and less often if cooler.

[@a-mthomas8585]

What do the letters in PET stand for?

[@SVKLOrchids]

I honestly have no idea! Something in Portuguese I assume.

[@michaelpye5972]

Very Interesting. Where do you grow them, a shadehouse?

[@SVKLOrchids]

I grow them outside under the shade of the oak trees. I just put up a greenhouse and they're spending the winter in there. I think they'll be back under the oak trees on April 1st.

[@michaelpye5972]

@@SVKLOrchids Thanks Stephen, Here I mainly grow under 30% shade cloth

[@SVKLOrchids]

Michael Pye Looks like you’ve got a great channel! I’ll check it out soon. What part of Australia are you growing?

[@michaelpye5972]

@@SVKLOrchids South East Queensland..sub tropics.. about 1 hour north of Brisbane by car

[@Shuzies]

Hi Stephen....Hope your well. I was wondering after potting this up do you put them back in the light until you water again or keep in the dark longer? Thank You

[@SVKLOrchids]

Sorry for the late reply! My plants get tons of light at all times!

[@Aedrict]

Very helpful! I hope you can make more videos about catasetums.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Aedrict I definitely will!

[@orchidsbythelake]

I have millennium magic and in spike. Should I pot it in this method now or later after the bloom?

[@SVKLOrchids]

Plant s And other things I would wait until the blooms fade and the plant is fully dormant to repot.

[@orchidsbythelake]

Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis thank you... them when I repot, don’t add water though, right?

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@orchidsbythelake Correct! Wait until the roots are at least 4" long (preferably longer) before adding water.

[@scottgordon1781]

Hmm a bit of a struggle getting it out , am now using a long narrow kitchen knife ! Saves a nice pot :-)

[@SVKLOrchids]

Ha!! I had to destroy a plastic pot yesterday getting that one out! Those roots turn into a solid brick.

[@scottgordon1781]

@@SVKLOrchids tell me about it :-) Not cool when its a big pot 24" , that said have plenty spares , from an auction . Clay ? can use the shards at least . Am using a 10 " knife blade , just for fun , soak the roots , can see what is working . I like the inert base , would still like it to get dry . As for the bark , that is small here :-) 1" +- ? I used to do fairly well with polystyrene blocks at the base . Or large bark 4-5" . So how long was that plant in the same pot ? Cut off all dead roots . Will save the rest for next year , then 2 years /more ? Dormant time is my concern .

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@scottgordon1781 I really only repot when the plant looks like it's going crawl out of the pot, so generally I repot every two years or so. I think I've actually repotted this one twice since I made the video!

[@robsbabiesmomma]

Great information! I was planning to pot my new Catasetums that just arrived using this method. I was expecting them to be bare root and dry - BUT - they still have lots of green leaves!! I thought I would store them but now I'm not sure what to do..pot them using PET method? Just sphagnum moss until they go dormant, store them, then PET in early Spring? Thanks in advance for your expect advice.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Debra Hicks I would leave the plants I their current media until late winter, when they’re dead asleep. Then pot them up anyway you want!

[@robsbabiesmomma]

@@SVKLOrchids No media - they are currently bare root and dry but lots of green leaves. How do I ease them into dormancy?

[@SVKLOrchids]

Debra Hicks Ah, I see! I would just hit them with water every day until they drop the leaves. You could throw them in a pot with some loose spag to hold a bit of moisture if you want. No fertilizer.

[@robsbabiesmomma]

@@SVKLOrchids Perfect! I will do that. Thanks!!

[@VolleyballNow1]

Around minute 19, you mentioned that you use time release calcium-magnesium for lawns from Tru Value. I've been able to find a calcium supplement there online, but not the combination. Can you be more specific? Thanks!

[@SVKLOrchids]

I ordered mine online from True Value, but it doesn't look like they carry it anymore!! Anyway, here is the exact one I purchased. Hopefully they aren't going out of business!! www.jonathangreen.com/product/mag-i-cal-acidic-soil-food.html

[@enazario3377]

Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis I tried looking up the slow release fertilizer from Furikan and I can’t locate them either. Can you provide us with the link for that as well? Thanks 🙋🏻‍♀️

[@patriciaj7087]

@@enazario3377 Is it Florikan, possibly? I couldn’t find the one Stephen referenced, either, but came up with Florikan.

[@16jstudio37]

Great Video - Thanks :)

[@SVKLOrchids]

Mugen Drawing Thanks!!

[@missanna208802]

My green tabulare is starting to bloom. While the flowers are essentially green and white, there is some red tinge on the ovaries, so it is not a true alba. If I get a non windy day, I will take it out and film it so you can see what it looks like. If you like it and want a piece, I might be able to tissue culture it, or..dunno..it will be a while before I can divide it, though it did make two growths last summer, but I would love a rhinophorum or if you have any Jumellea or Angraecum species, there are many of these that I am after.

[@SVKLOrchids]

missanna208802 I might be interested in a tabulare swap when your plant gets big enough to do so! Unfortunately I don’t have any of Angraecoids. Seems like a group that would appreciate our Texas summers, though!

[@o_o8203]

This is just a variation of semi-hydro, no? The only difference I see is the medium.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Yes, there are similarities. The organic versus inorganic media is a pretty difference though.

[@greenirin3018]

👍🏻

[@GABTICO94]

Problem about packing so much is that it doesn't absorb water as easy

[@SVKLOrchids]

gabriel bach That’s by design! The spag on top just holds in moisture and shouldn’t be sopping wet. The water well at the bottom holds water at all times and the roots dive right in.

[@GABTICO94]

I mean fir potting differently, like typical potting. I actually do sphag in baskets and I don't compress it at all

[@SVKLOrchids]

Packing the moss tightly also works great for traditional potting too. I’ve done it this way on Catasetinae for nearly 15 years!

[@williamlush9115]

2024: torch is $28-35 😂

[@SVKLOrchids]

Whaaaa??? No way! I’d be pissed if I went to the store and found that out!