Wow it’s already September! Catasetinae plant culture
Sep 19
3 min read
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Good Day Orchid Friends,
Here’s the latest Catasetum culture tips from Fred Clarke. Periodically, Fred sends out these newsletters to help us better care for our Catasetums. Fred is a great resource so don’t hesitate to send him emails with questions about your plants.
Also, be reminded that we have many gorgeous blooming Catasetums in 4” clay pots for only $20. Stop by and pick one up. It’s a great way to expand your knowledge of orchid growing.
Our hours are M, W, F, S 10-1.
Happy Orchiding,
Tom and Win
Wow it’s already September! Catasetinae plant culture |
As we can tell, summer is starting to come to an end, and those of you in the more northern latitudes are already thinking about or moving inside your plants as night temperatures are getting cooler. We have received lots of photos from hobbyists this season and are continually impressed by quality of the flowering and growth. Well done! This time of year is when your Catasetinae are in or reaching their final stages of maturity. It is still a bit early for the first signs of dormancy, but it won’t be long now. Soon, it will be time to stop fertilizing and begin to decrease irrigation frequency allowing for increasingly longer dry intervals between waterings. In nature or your greenhouse three important changes are occurring that influence dormancy: 1) The rainy season is nearing its end with less frequent rain 2) Day length is shortening 3) Nights and days are cooler With less rainfall, fewer nutrients are moved to the root system (thus the need to stop fertilizing) and the roots stay dryer longer (thus the importance of reducing irrigation frequency). This increasing dryness between irrigation is a key indicator for the plant to harden off their pseudobulbs in preparation for the 2-4 month winter dry period. Hardened off bulbs are better at storing water through dormancy. If you are growing indoors or under lights, remember to begin reducing the day length of your lighting system by one hour each month ending with 11 hours of light in January. In addition, lowering nights temperatures to 60-65 degrees and days of 70 -75 degrees in your growing area is appropriate. Humidity should be maintained at 40-60%, however brief periods outside this range are not a problem. No re-potting at this time, the roots are well-developed and will resent being disturbed. If you were negligent, it is better to wait until next spring. One of the great attributes of the Catasetinae is their deciduous nature. If you experienced some leaf damage this summer don’t worry, those leaves are going to drop off soon and next spring your plant will grow a new set. How many orchids are that forgiving when the leaves are damaged? Walking through the greenhouses the Catasetums are in full flower, and we are making lots of new hybrids for the future. The Cycnoches are starting to bloom. There is still more to look forward to as the blooming season for Mormodes, and Clowesia hybrids will begin in the next few months.
Please consider sending me your photos and posting your pictures to these Facebook group pages:
Catasetinae Canada: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Catasetinaecanada/?ref=br_rs
Catasetum Fever: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Catasetinae.Fever/?ref=br_rs
Good growing! Fred Clarke & Carlos Lopez Sunset Valley Orchids Inc. (760) 310-0778 |
