catasetum purum

[gavstang]

They are actually easy since they go dormant 2-3 months of the year. Just keep them dry during the rest period. When growing, you can water and fertilise like there's no tomorrow to get big plump bulbs.

Now when is their dormant period? Is this when the last flower has died and I remove the bulb which carried the last flower stalk to allow it to rest?

[paphioboy]

Now when is their dormant period? Is this when the last flower has died and I remove the bulb which carried the last flower stalk to allow it to rest?

After flowering, usually they will lose their leaves. This is their dormant period. I don't quite understand what you are saying about removing the bulb, unless you wish to separate it into single bulbs. I have tried that before, but it was a 50/50 chance in my conditions. Some of the bulbs rotted after being separated. Anyway, rest them until the new growth emerges, then increase water and fert.

[gavstang]

After flowering, usually they will lose their leaves. This is their dormant period. I don't quite understand what you are saying about removing the bulb, unless you wish to separate it into single bulbs. I have tried that before, but it was a 50/50 chance in my conditions. Some of the bulbs rotted after being separated. Anyway, rest them until the new growth emerges, then increase water and fert.

I was informed by some senior growers here that I am supposed to separate the newest bulb when blooming has finished and leave it aside without watering or fertilising and then replant when its in growth again. Maybe they are also talking abt plant division. But thanks for the advice..I will hazard a plant soon and keep you guys updated on my efforts!

[opaline]

Sometimes when seperating/ splitting the bulbs individually as dormant procedure commences growth will emerge on each sep bulb as opposed to just one or possibly two growths when remaining in a cluster/ group. Its not an exact science though as if anything ever is and when left in a group the plant decides to discard bulbs when it sees fit anyway when the storage of nutritients and moisture has been exhausted. IMHO a young plant with 2/3/4 small bulbs is not mature enough to split individually especially when running the risk of the divisions rotting like paphio says. It is also necessary to consider that with the catasetinae short growing period many circumstances that come along or crop up cause considerable hinderance such as root rot/ pest attack. The plant will need the reserves of its spare bulbs to carry it through to the next grow season sustaining it at all times through the dormancy beforehand. Have seen many a sellar flogging small single bulbs on trade/ auction sites and some shrivelled on brink of life. Chances of success nurturing these are lessened considerably unless you can guarantee perfect conditions such as a lab.

[catasetum-ian]

I was informed by some senior growers here that I am supposed to separate the newest bulb when blooming has finished and leave it aside without watering or fertilising and then replant when its in growth again. Maybe they are also talking abt plant division. But thanks for the advice..I will hazard a plant soon and keep you guys updated on my efforts!

mind if i chime in a while? ok, before you start "hazarding" a plant......
to cut the story short for when to water, "follow the leaves". even when the bulb is fully mature, all the leaves is there, you can still water once the media is dried. BUT if all the leaves had dropped (going into dormancy), minimal watering with them. as a general rule, just water once you notice some slight shrivelling on the PBs)
whether or not to separate a bulb after blooming, very much depends on you, but follow the leaves. generally if u prolonged repotting interval(provided you had the correct media and fertilizing program), you will ended with bigger bulbs eventually which mean more bloom per spike or even double spike or double growth subsequently.

[gavstang]

Cheers guys..thanks for the info..very helpful and will assist me in my future plans to acquire a plant.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Such cool and interesting orchid blooms. Love these, Ian.

cheers,
BD