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Feb 20, 2017 6:23 PM CST
Name: Carol
Santa Ana, ca
Sunset zone 22, USDA zone 10 A.
Bookworm Charter ATP Member Region: California Hummingbirder Orchids Plant Identifier
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That's exactly why I haven't tried them yet. I would go crazy. With all the rain we've been having, I haven't watered any of the potted ones in the shack much. I figure with 97% humidity they can go awhile longer than normal, but the mounted ones still need some water, and of course the ones in the house.
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Feb 21, 2017 1:45 PM CST
Name: Ted DeWitt
Brea, CA (Zone 10b)
Orchids Container Gardener Butterflies Plumerias Hummingbirder Growing under artificial light
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Good going, Ken.
Carol, I'm with you, have not watered outside but once in the last few weeks. And with everything being soaked, lots of humidity.. It's been cloudy and a light rain every day since the large storm.
Showing up is 88% of life
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Feb 21, 2017 4:45 PM CST
Name: Patty
Sarasota, Florida (Zone 9b)
Tropicals Plumerias Orchids Garden Photography Birds Garden Art
Miniature Gardening Cat Lover Butterflies Bookworm Bromeliad Region: Florida
Hurray! Hurray! Lindsey!!! I'm so excited for you!!!! It must have been the basket that did it.... Whistling Rolling on the floor laughing

Will I see you this weekend? Rafael is having another sale....
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Feb 21, 2017 4:46 PM CST
Name: Carol
Santa Ana, ca
Sunset zone 22, USDA zone 10 A.
Bookworm Charter ATP Member Region: California Hummingbirder Orchids Plant Identifier
Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Between the rain and the fog, it was weird waking up with nothing dripping and dry streets this morning.
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Feb 21, 2017 4:53 PM CST
Name: Patty
Sarasota, Florida (Zone 9b)
Tropicals Plumerias Orchids Garden Photography Birds Garden Art
Miniature Gardening Cat Lover Butterflies Bookworm Bromeliad Region: Florida
Ooops...I was so excited about Lindsey's spike that I forgot to post a few of my own....


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Seriously, I don't know why you guys lug these vanda's in & out of your houses...these haven't been inside in years!

Now this is a new one on me...is this a new leaf? a spike? Is it true that the original fan (that bloomed) has to die off and it makes a new fan before it blooms? I bought this in bloom a while ago (October), and the bloom died off not long after. (Honestly I figured I would've killed the whole thing by now!) Lo & behold...there's this new green growth....!!

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Can anyone who keeps these alive tell me if I should re-pot and if so, when & into what? How much light does this like?

THANKS!
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Feb 21, 2017 6:56 PM CST
Name: lindsey
wesley chapel, fl
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Orchids Photo Contest Winner 2021 Photo Contest Winner 2023
Patty, I had Planrio's open house on my calendar.. but then realized that Paul Storm was going to be our orchid club guest and I had put in a fairly large preorder with him.. so I'm trying to be a responsible adult..
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Feb 21, 2017 8:11 PM CST
Name: Patty
Sarasota, Florida (Zone 9b)
Tropicals Plumerias Orchids Garden Photography Birds Garden Art
Miniature Gardening Cat Lover Butterflies Bookworm Bromeliad Region: Florida
Awww Lindsey....there is absolutely NO FUN in being a responsible adult! Thumbs down

It's MUCH more fun to be an irresponsible orchid addict!! Whistling

I'll miss ya!
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Feb 21, 2017 8:36 PM CST
Plants SuperMod
Name: Joshua
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Zone 10a)
Köppen Climate Zone Cfb
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SarasotaPatty said:Awww Lindsey....there is absolutely NO FUN in being a responsible adult! Thumbs down

It's MUCH more fun to be an irresponsible orchid addict!! :whistling:


... until you run out of space and have virus problems from all the plants touching each other!
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Feb 21, 2017 9:51 PM CST
Name: Ted DeWitt
Brea, CA (Zone 10b)
Orchids Container Gardener Butterflies Plumerias Hummingbirder Growing under artificial light
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Patty, I have a Paph with at least 6 fans including the original. Actually had two fans send out spikes at the same time last summer. As for re-potting, I would wait. Looks like you have enough room.
Showing up is 88% of life
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Feb 22, 2017 9:18 AM CST
Name: Patty
Sarasota, Florida (Zone 9b)
Tropicals Plumerias Orchids Garden Photography Birds Garden Art
Miniature Gardening Cat Lover Butterflies Bookworm Bromeliad Region: Florida
WOW, great info, THANKS Ted! So do you think that little green thing is the start of a new fan?

Are you sure about the re-potting? It's very overgrown in the little black plastic thing it's in (I just set the plastic into that green glass) There's even that one root running along the top edge of the black plastic that you can see in the pic. What medium is your's potted in? How much light do you give your's? Right now I have mine on a table in front of a south facing window that gets east sun (not direct) for most of the morning. Same place as the psychopsis that I got at the same time (which I'm also not sure is the right amount of light)...

Also, if I could....you mentioned your catasetum....I was going to ask about mine. I bought one last January in bloom, and I've had it outside ever since in filtered light under an oak (where most of my orchids live). It lost all of it's leaves back in the fall, but never bloomed, and I moved it under the eave of the house where it got no water. Now it has new growth in a few places, and I've moved it back under the trees where it is getting water and rain. What did/am I doing wrong that I didn't get a bloom??

Thumb of 2017-02-22/SarasotaPatty/abe0f4 Thumb of 2017-02-22/SarasotaPatty/8f037b

THANKS!!
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Feb 22, 2017 2:45 PM CST
Name: Ted DeWitt
Brea, CA (Zone 10b)
Orchids Container Gardener Butterflies Plumerias Hummingbirder Growing under artificial light
Dog Lover Tropicals Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Herbs Garden Ideas: Level 1 Cactus and Succulents
There is no need to re-pot based on the size of the pot. I have seen 4-5 fans in that size pot. If the medium is decomposing then re-pot in the same pot. You will usually do this about every two years. You have plenty of room. I use a combination of medium bark, coarse Perlite and a little sand.
Paphs with mottled leaves like shade and I would keep that morning sun only til mid morning. Mine are mostly mottled leaved so they like it a little warmer. I keep them in the house during winter here. Outside they grow at the base of my Psychopsis in the shade. The Psychopsis gets more light at the top of the stalks.


Here is what I copied from Sunset Orchids on catasetums
Early spring:
Catasetinae begin their new growth in early spring. However, watering should wait until the new growth has well developed new roots. This means you should let the new roots grow to an approximate length of 3-5” before you begin watering. Let me emphasize this point. Wait to water until the new roots are well developed. The waiting to water is not easy, my natural instinct is to begin watering when I see new growth, but I have learned through trial and error that it is better to wait to water than start watering too soon. I also believe that Catasetinae roots deteriorate during dormancy and in the following year they are not as effective at taking up moisture and nutrients. This makes the new roots vital in the plants health. This reinforces the message about not watering too early.

Mid-Season:
Once the new roots are sufficiently developed, this is the period where the plants are rapidly developing their new pseudobulbs. There is a surprising amount of growth that occurs in these 3-4 months, often the plants will double their size. Due to this, the plants require constant moisture and regular fertilization. In most cases, irrigation will be need 2 or 3 times a week. A balanced fertilizer at full strength is suitable for this rapid growth. Light levels at or above those suggested for Cattleya will help insure strong good growth and flowering. This is the time when the fruits of your labor will begin to pay off as the flowering season is in underway.

Late Season:
Sometime after flowering, in the late autumn the plants will begin to enter the dormancy phase. Understanding the signals of the onset of dormancy and the factors triggering it are important is good plant culture. The plant first signals are the yellowing and browning off of the leaves, at this time stop fertilizing and reduce watering by ½ and when most leaves are yellow/brown and have dropped off cease watering altogether. The general rule to follow is: by the 15 th of November stop fertilization and reduce watering by ½. Most leaves should have yellowed or fallen off by the 1 st of January, however, if the plants still have leaves all irrigation should be stopped at this time.

The onset of dormancy is caused by several factors, the maturity of the pseudobulb, shorter day length, cooler day/night temperatures and a reduction of root zone moisture. In most of the country dormancy occurs naturally however when the plants are cultivated in warm growing areas such as in South Texas, Florida, Hawaii, or in the home or under lights sometimes dormancy needs to be encouraged. I have found that stopping watering in early January regardless of the number of green leaves will trigger the dormancy.

Note: Watering during dormancy should only be done it the plant shrivels severely. Usually a single irrigation is sufficient to restore the bulbs.

Here's a summary:

As the new growth develops wait to irrigate until the new roots are well developed and are 3 to 5” long. (don't be in a hurry to water, it is better to wait)
Irrigate and fertilize frequently while the plants are in active growth.
Stop fertilization and reduce irrigation by ½ around by mid November.
Cease watering by the 1 st of January.

Light levels: Catasetinae like light levels comparable to Cattleyas at about 2500-4000 foot candles (fc) However, the plants are widely adaptable and do well with light levels as low as 1500 fc and as high as 5000 fc. For optimal growth I suggest a Southern exposure or a location where a the plants will receive plenty of bright, filtered light

Potting mix: For mature plants I have been using a 3/1 of mix of fine ‘Kiwi Bark’ and medium Perlite. For seedlings up to a 3” pot size I like to use New Zealand sphagnum moss with the bottom 1/3 of the pot filled with Styrofoam peanuts. However, this genus is not too particular in what it is potted in and any well drained media will work well.

Containers: I prefer to grow in plastic pots, however clay pots, baskets, and cork slabs will all work. Catasetinae don't like to be over potted, select a pot size that will allow for 2-3 years of growth.

Fertilizer: When in active growth, regularly use one teaspoon of your favorite fertilizer per gallon of water.

Air movement: Catasetinae enjoy abundant air movement, if you are growing in a green house use air circulating fans. Also, hanging the plants allows for maximum air movement around them and often they do best hanging.

Repotting and Dividing: Is done as the new growth is just starting to develop and before the new roots start to show. (remember no watering until the roots are well established, 3-5” long). Unlike most orchid plants Catasetinae do well when divided in to 2 bulb pieces. Divisions are made by cutting with a sterile tool or by pulling the bulbs apart. I try to keep the size of my plants between 2 and 5 bulbs.

Insect pests: Catasetinae are generally pest free, however spider mites are attracted to the soft leaves of these plants. Spider mites are quite small, they live and feed on the undersides of the leaves. Take care in checking for them as the plants are developing the new leaves and control them with a recommended miteacide from your garden center. Although the leaves will drop off during dormancy this is not an excuse to not treat for them.

I bring mine in during the winter so they don't get any rain in the dormant cycle.

You may be resuming watering too soon. Mine have started to show new growth but I will not water until the roots get about 3" long

Hopes this helps
Showing up is 88% of life
Last edited by Ted5310 Feb 22, 2017 2:57 PM Icon for preview
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Feb 22, 2017 3:30 PM CST
Name: Jim Hawk
Odessa, Florida (Zone 9b)
Birds Master Gardener: Florida Hibiscus Greenhouse Charter ATP Member Garden Photography
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Nicely done, Ted.

Jim
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Feb 22, 2017 4:38 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
Good information, Ted. Since I have two varieties of the Fdk., I too went to Fred's website and read that information.
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
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Feb 22, 2017 5:31 PM CST
Name: Ted DeWitt
Brea, CA (Zone 10b)
Orchids Container Gardener Butterflies Plumerias Hummingbirder Growing under artificial light
Dog Lover Tropicals Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Herbs Garden Ideas: Level 1 Cactus and Succulents
Thank You
Showing up is 88% of life
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Feb 22, 2017 5:56 PM CST
Name: Patty
Sarasota, Florida (Zone 9b)
Tropicals Plumerias Orchids Garden Photography Birds Garden Art
Miniature Gardening Cat Lover Butterflies Bookworm Bromeliad Region: Florida
Oh my goodness, Ted...THANK YOU! I didn't quite expect all that! Thank You!

So now I know, I started watering too soon...should I stop again or just let it keep getting wet do ya think??? I guess that will keep it from blooming in the fall...??

However, I've only had the plant for 13 months...and it was in bloom 13 months ago...so I couldn't really have done anything wrong in the meantime, except maybe not fertilizing enough...hmmmm! Shrug!
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Feb 22, 2017 6:33 PM CST
Name: Ted DeWitt
Brea, CA (Zone 10b)
Orchids Container Gardener Butterflies Plumerias Hummingbirder Growing under artificial light
Dog Lover Tropicals Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Herbs Garden Ideas: Level 1 Cactus and Succulents
I would stop watering and see what happens over the next few weeks.
You can find all that info and more at Fred's site. Sunsetorchids.com
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Feb 23, 2017 12:17 PM CST
Name: lindsey
wesley chapel, fl
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Orchids Photo Contest Winner 2021 Photo Contest Winner 2023
I have a maxillara tenuifolia , a plant I got last year in bloom at the supermarket... are these new buds? They have appeared almost overnight

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Almost every PBulb has 1 or 2 visible
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Feb 23, 2017 1:44 PM CST
Name: Ted DeWitt
Brea, CA (Zone 10b)
Orchids Container Gardener Butterflies Plumerias Hummingbirder Growing under artificial light
Dog Lover Tropicals Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Herbs Garden Ideas: Level 1 Cactus and Succulents
Yes they are. Mine has not done anything yet
Showing up is 88% of life
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Feb 23, 2017 3:30 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Ursula
Fair Lawn NJ, zone 7a
Orchids Plumerias Cactus and Succulents Region: New Jersey Region: Pennsylvania Native Plants and Wildflowers
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Oh yes! That would be early for me!
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Feb 23, 2017 4:05 PM CST
Name: lindsey
wesley chapel, fl
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Orchids Photo Contest Winner 2021 Photo Contest Winner 2023
I guess Spring arrives earlier in Florida...these are typically once a year bloomers?

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