catasetum back bulbs....help needed

[catasetum-ian]

i had several catasetum back bulbs, had been doing some research on internet and asking orchid nurseries for advice, all came out with different opinions.
1. leave the back bulb in a bright place no direct sun, don't water till you see new keiki forming (because there is no roots and therefore no way to absorb water)
2. sprinkle occasionally to prevent bulbs from shrivel
3. water on daily basis once dried, as this method is claimed by the nursery to produce keiki at faster rate

so far i used method 1. and so far so good but just that sometimes it takes about 2 months plus for the bulb to send out keiki

any suggestions? thanks

[catttan]

I think you are doing ok. Catasetums do take a long time to produce keikis and 2 months is par for the course. If you see that the back bulbs are shrivelling too much occasional sprinkling might help. I personally would not try 3.

[catasetum-ian]

thanks catttan....very much appreciated

[Tednz]

One article I read said no water till new roots about 4" bit I would defintely mist them

[catasetum-ian]

thanks tednz, so far i used the no water at all method, did not try with misting yet, afraid of promoting bulb rot. maybe will take a few of the bulbs to try it out. gracias

[catasetum-ian]

just a feedback to the small experiments i had made, though small sample size involved but i ended up with two out of 8 back bulbs with bulb rot after trying with occasional misting,,,,,
so i am sticking back to the old method...strictly no water till keiki and roots appear which so works so far so good for me

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Good luck Ian.

Cheers,
BD