catasetum purum

[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!

[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.