Hi, Stephen! I always like to gauge the progress of my orchids by seeing how well yours are doing. You're not kidding about Cycnoches being the problem child. I have Cyc. pentadactylon and Cyc. herrenhusanum both of which bloomed successfully last season. My pentadactylon looks almost exactly like yours at the moment, with the tiniest nubbin peaking out of the only viable little bulb. The herrenhusanum is giving me new growths high up on the bulbs again. When you mentioned Cycnoches needing more attention during the winter, what did you mean exactly? Also, when you say you're going to "water" them to fatten up the bulbs if possible, do you mean only misting the bulbs or actually watering down into the medium?
Yes, Cycnoches are a pain!! I think watching them more closely over winter and paying attention to relative humidity is helpful. Putting them in a corner and forgetting about them is much an easier with Catasetums. As for watering to fatten the bulbs, it’s definitely with a soaking!
OMG! I have a problem child too, my first and was panicking what to do. I took a picture to send to Fred Clarke for advice. I thought the numbing might be a spike since it’s new. I would love to see you do the video of “repositioning, repotting” the plant. Question I have 1 plant with a “problem child on 1 bulb and now producing another on its other bulb just a bit lower down. I know it’s a new growth, tiny, but already centimeter roots with green tips How do I handle this? Do I divide the 1 plant into 2 separate plants so the new growths fit accordingly further down in “new repot”? Leave original bulbs attached and go for an “angle” repot or deeper repot to reach roots coming ?
I have recently purchased an after dark. New growth is almost a foot long. It arrived to me very wet. There are 6 bulbs. 3 older ones seem to be shriveling, while the 3 bulbs with the leafy new growth are not so shriveled. In panic i soaked for 10 min. I feel that was a mistake. Any advice on what to look for or should I repot to avoid rot from over watering? Also one of the older bulbs have a little black on the rings of the bulb. Not sure if that should be a concern. Many thanks
This is a very helpful video. I was ready to raise the white flag, but I love these so much that when the email from SVO comes I’m sure I will be compelled to order and try again!
Thanks!
Thank you so much! 😃
Hi Stephen. Thanks for sharing your orchids. 🤗
My pleasure!
Thank you for sharing. I needed confirmation that I can wait to water catasetum for a couple more weeks. Now I know what to look for.
Glad this is helpful!
Good update! Thanks for sharing 😊
Thank you! Bloom photos to come!
Hi, Stephen! I always like to gauge the progress of my orchids by seeing how well yours are doing. You're not kidding about Cycnoches being the problem child. I have Cyc. pentadactylon and Cyc. herrenhusanum both of which bloomed successfully last season. My pentadactylon looks almost exactly like yours at the moment, with the tiniest nubbin peaking out of the only viable little bulb. The herrenhusanum is giving me new growths high up on the bulbs again. When you mentioned Cycnoches needing more attention during the winter, what did you mean exactly? Also, when you say you're going to "water" them to fatten up the bulbs if possible, do you mean only misting the bulbs or actually watering down into the medium?
Yes, Cycnoches are a pain!! I think watching them more closely over winter and paying attention to relative humidity is helpful. Putting them in a corner and forgetting about them is much an easier with Catasetums. As for watering to fatten the bulbs, it’s definitely with a soaking!
I'm using small coco husk chunks for problem roots. Seems to be working
That should work well!
May i ask where you find your catasetum?
I get them from all over (including Facebook sales pages and from friends), but mostly from Sunset Valley Orchids
OMG! I have a problem child too, my first and was panicking what to do. I took a picture to send to Fred Clarke for advice. I thought the numbing might be a spike since it’s new. I would love to see you do the video of “repositioning, repotting” the plant. Question I have 1 plant with a “problem child on 1 bulb and now producing another on its other bulb just a bit lower down. I know it’s a new growth, tiny, but already centimeter roots with green tips How do I handle this? Do I divide the 1 plant into 2 separate plants so the new growths fit accordingly further down in “new repot”? Leave original bulbs attached and go for an “angle” repot or deeper repot to reach roots coming ?
Can you talk about this and Catasetum types with William please. Thanks
Yep! That’s what we’ll chat about this afternoon
Nice to see the catasetinae. I got three small seedling black knight i hope one will make it. My two gnomus look ok.
Both of those are cool!
I have recently purchased an after dark. New growth is almost a foot long. It arrived to me very wet. There are 6 bulbs. 3 older ones seem to be shriveling, while the 3 bulbs with the leafy new growth are not so shriveled. In panic i soaked for 10 min. I feel that was a mistake. Any advice on what to look for or should I repot to avoid rot from over watering? Also one of the older bulbs have a little black on the rings of the bulb. Not sure if that should be a concern. Many thanks
That's a tough diagnosis without photos! How do the new roots look? I'd avoid repotting unless the media is absolutely terrible.
@SVKLOrchids thank you ! Unfortunately I can not see them. The medium seems 2 + years old . I will hold steady and stay vigilant.
Is that Jim Young's fertilizer in your fertilizer basket? Thanks.....I'm stressing
Yes it is! Why are you stressing?
This is a very helpful video. I was ready to raise the white flag, but I love these so much that when the email from SVO comes I’m sure I will be compelled to order and try again!
Ha! Definitely buy more from Fred! 😉
If I started watering too soon, what is the downside?
The roots often abort the tips and don’t grow back. What is the name of the plant?