Catasetums & Cycnoches 2024

[Happypaphy7]

So to clarify, you don’t remove the old sphagnum, you pot it up with the original sphagnum surrounded by new orchiata? And this causes no problems such as rot? I always remove the old sphagnum and repot in orchiata. Your way sounds much easier and much less traumatic to the existing roots! But I’ve had problems with rotting new growths in the past so I’m paranoid.

Yes. I have never had any issues with the roots. At this size, it really does not matter as the space of the pot (3inch round pot, so it is quite small to begin with!) is mostly just styrofoam peanuts and the roots and some moss.
The sheer amount of the newer roots in the subsequent season will do such a good job sucking out all the water in the pot as soon as you water the plant.
Do you keep your plant bone dry without a drop of water during the entire winter? I think that could cause more trouble than watering every once in a while when the pseudobulbs show signs of dehydration. It really depends on the plant because some plants I have stay plump for much longer time than others. Once all the leaves fall off, I do reduce watering frequencies but I do not completely stop watering.
I simply let the plants be my guide. Never had an issue!

 

[swamprad]

Yes. I have never had any issues with the roots. At this size, it really does not matter as the space of the pot (3inch round pot, so it is quite small to begin with!) is mostly just styrofoam peanuts and the roots and some moss.
The sheer amount of the newer roots in the subsequent season will do such a good job sucking out all the water in the pot as soon as you water the plant.
Do you keep your plant bone dry without a drop of water during the entire winter? I think that could cause more trouble than watering every once in a while when the pseudobulbs show signs of dehydration. It really depends on the plant because some plants I have stay plump for much longer time than others. Once all the leaves fall off, I do reduce watering frequencies but I do not completely stop watering.
I simply let the plants be my guide. Never had an issue!

I do keep them bone dry all winter. Maybe I’ll try giving them an occasional drink this winter. I had terrible problems with new growths rotting last year and had to discard multiple plants. Possibly Erwinia but I’m not sure. I didn’t use Phyton because the rumor is that thin leafed plants like stanhopeas and catasetinae can be damaged by Phyton but I don’t know if that’s true. I will likely spray Phyton on the catasetums this year, at least try it on a couple plants and see if they are damaged. I have a long history of various problems with catasetums but I’m determined to be successful eventually!!

 

[Happypaphy7]

Cycnoches warscewiczii
SVO 10031 (OMG Giant x Jumbo Super AM/AOS)
It had one large flower on its first bloom in December 2022. My neglect almost ruined the plant in 2023. It recovered a bit in 2024 and now in bloom with two large (over 5in wide) flowers.
These fragrant flowers are more yellow than green in person.

 

[Happypaphy7]

I do keep them bone dry all winter. Maybe I’ll try giving them an occasional drink this winter. I had terrible problems with new growths rotting last year and had to discard multiple plants. Possibly Erwinia but I’m not sure. I didn’t use Phyton because the rumor is that thin leafed plants like stanhopeas and catasetinae can be damaged by Phyton but I don’t know if that’s true. I will likely spray Phyton on the catasetums this year, at least try it on a couple plants and see if they are damaged. I have a long history of various problems with catasetums but I’m determined to be successful eventually!!

Ok, so can you give a little info regarding how you grow yours and how they went down? That will help me understand & guess the issues you had with your plants better.
If the pseudobulbs stay plump, I don’t think there needs to be any watering.
The only time I ever lost these plants were when I forgot to water during the winter and it shriveled down to dry mess and a sudden rot near the middle of the plant while in bloom. Both were Cycnoches. The one that got hit with a rot was already looking funny with tons of these annoying bumps on the entire plant. The flowers were ok. I was gonna toss it anyway even if it wasn’t for the rot as I just could not stand the ugly appearance of the plant.
The other plant was an amazing plant with great growing & flowering habit. I still miss it.