CULTURE CORNER

Catasetinae Culture By Fred Clarke Secrets of Success for Growing , , and

pollinia and it shoots out from the . These flowering habits and traits are unusual, adding to their intrigue. The cultural information below is a generalization and will apply in most situations; however, each grower and growing environment is different. I encourage you to make adjustments based on your experience and growing conditions. GROWTH CYCLES in the have distinctive growth and rest periods (dormancy). For best plant development, it is important to understand and respect these growth phases. When the plants are in active growth, maintain constant root-zone moisture and fertilize regularly. This is essential to optimizing the development of new growth. When the plants are dormant, little or no water is needed as the pseudobulbs store enough moisture

FRED CLARKE and nutrients to survive dormancy. Catasetinae culture is not difficult. All I GOT HOOKED ON THIS GROUP OF growth phase where you can almost it takes is an understanding of the plants almost 20 years ago when I watch them grow. In nature, the factors seasonal growth patterns. The plants’ purchased a package deal of five plants determining dormancy are marked by the vegetative state signals to the grower for the price of four from a JEM end of the rainy season and the resulting their changing needs. Interpret the Orchids’ ad in the AOS Bulletin (now cooler night temperatures. This com- signals and make the appropriate cultural called Orchids). I received them in the bination is the dormancy trigger. Few adjustments. Here is what to look for: spring and they grew well under my orchid plants go through so many rapid Early Spring Catasetinae begin cattleya conditions. In the autumn, seasonal changes. Once you under- their new growth in early spring. when the yellowed and began stand their requirements, this unique However, watering should wait until the dropping off I got worried, so I began growth cycle makes these plants fun new growth has well-developed new reading about catasetums and learned to grow and flower. roots. This means you should let the how they had a need for a winter dry The are equally intriguing. new roots grow to an approximate dormancy and that, to my relief, Like most orchids, Mormodes and length of 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to 12.5 cm) drop was normal. The following season Clowesia have perfect flowers with before you begin watering. Let me I again had excellent growth and in late both male and female floral segments. emphasize this point. Wait to water summer the plants began blooming. The However, Cycnoches and Catasetum until the new roots are well developed. flower color, shapes and fragrances can flower with male or female flowers Waiting to water is not easy; my were like none I had ever seen before that sometimes are quite different from natural instinct is to begin watering and that, combined with the seasonal one another. As one might imagine, this when I see new growth, but I have changes, made me realize these plants flowering habit led to much confusion learned through trial and error that it is were for me. One of those original when many of the species were better to wait to water than start plants, Cycnodes Jem’s Dragon discovered and described in the late watering too soon. I also believe that ‘Sunset Valley Orchids’ (Cycnoches 19th century. This male/female flower Catasetinae roots deteriorate during chlorochilon × Mormodes frymirei) trait is called floral dimorphism and it dormancy and in the following year became my first FCC/AOS. adds interest to the flowers, but it is they are not as effective at taking up Some of the most unusual and the male flowers that are generally the moisture and nutrients. This makes the intriguing types of orchids are found showiest. Another aspect of the di- new roots vital in the plant’s health and in the Catasetinae, a group that morphism, particularly in Catasetum, is reinforces the message about not includes several genera, among them, the male flowers’ ability to eject or watering too early. Cycnoches, Catasetum, Mormodes shoot their pollinia. One of the funniest Mid-Season Once the new roots and Clowesia. As a part of their annual things in the greenhouse is to watch are sufficiently developed, this is the growth cycle, these orchids have the expression of an unsuspecting period where the plants are rapidly distinct winter dormancy and an active guest when he or she triggers the developing their new pseudobulbs.

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There is a surprising amount of growth will begin to enter the dormancy phase. OPPOSITE Fred Clarke in his Vista, that occurs in these three to four Understanding a plant’s signals of the California, greenhouse surrounded by months; often the plants will double initiation of dormany and the factors encyclias, a group of orchids he enjoys. their size. Due to this, the plants require triggering it are important in good ABOVE The author’s first plant to receive plant’s culture. The first signals are the constant moisture and regular fert- a First Class Certificate was Cycnodes ilization. In most cases, irrigation will yellowing and browning off of the Jem’s Dragon ‘Sunset Valley Orchids’, be needed two or three times a week. A leaves. At this time, stop fertilizing and balanced fertilizer at full strength is reduce watering by one half. When FCC/AOS (Cycnoches chlorochilon × suitable for this rapid growth. Light most leaves are yellow/brown and have Mormodes frymirei). levels at or above those suggested for dropped off, cease watering altogether. cattleyas will help ensure good strong The general rule to follow is: by The onset of dormancy is caused growth and flowering. This is the time November 15th stop fertilization and by several factors: the maturity of the when the fruits of your labor will begin reduce watering by one half. Most pseudobulb, shorter day length, cooler to pay off as the flowering season is leaves should have yellowed or fallen day/night temperatures and a re- under way. off by January 1st; however, if the duction of root-zone moisture. In most Late Season Sometime after plants still have leaves all irrigation of the United States, dormancy occurs flowering, in the late autumn, the plants should be stopped. naturally. But when the plants are

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cultivated in warm growing areas, such light levels comparable to those given baskets and cork slabs will all work. Do as South Texas, Florida, Hawaii or in to cattleyas, about 2,500–4,000 foot- not overpot Catasetinae; select a pot the home or under lights, sometimes candles. However, the plants are widely size that will allow for two to three years dormancy needs to be encouraged. I adaptable and do well with light levels of growth. have found that stopping watering in as low as 1,500 foot-candles and as Fertilizer When the plants are in early January regardless of the number high as 5,000 foot-candles. For optimal active growth, regularly use 1 teaspoon of green leaves will trigger dormancy. growth I suggest a southern exposure of your favorite fertilizer per gallon of Watering during dormancy should or a location where the plants will water. only be done if the plant shrivels receive plenty of bright filtered light. Air Movement Catasetinae benefit severely. Usually a single irrigation is Medium For mature plants, I have from abundant air movement. If you are sufficient to restore the pseudobulbs. been using a 50/50 of mix of coconut- growing in a greenhouse, use air In summary, follow these steps: husk chips and Maidenwell diatomite. circulating fans. Also, suspending the ◆ As the new growth develops wait When using coconut-husk chips, the plants allows for maximum air move- to irrigate until the new roots are well contained salts need to be leached out ment around them and often they do developed and are 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to prior to use. Always use a triple 24-hour best hanging. 12.5 cm) long. Don’t be in a hurry to soak, changing the water between each Repotting and Dividing This is water; it is better to wait. treatment prior to use. done as the new growth is just starting ◆ Irrigate and fertilize frequently For seedlings up to a 3-inch (7.5- to develop and before the new roots while the plants are in active growth. cm) pot size, I like to use New Zealand start to show. (Remember, no watering ◆ Stop fertilization and reduce sphagnum moss with the bottom one until the roots are well established, irrigation by one half by mid November. third of the pot filled with styrofoam about 3 to 5 inches, or 7.5 to 12.5 cm, ◆ Cease watering by January 1st. peanuts. However, this group of long). Unlike most orchid plants, CULTURE I use the following orchids is not too particular in what it Catasetinae do well when divided into techniques in my greenhouse, but they is potted in and any well-drained pieces consisting of two pseudobulbs. could also be applied to growing areas medium will do. Divisions are made by cutting with a on a windowsill and under lights. Containers I prefer to grow in sterile tool or by pulling the pseudo- Light Catasetinae do best with plastic pots; however, clay pots, bulbs apart. I try to keep the size of my

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plants at between two and five Clarke (herenhusanum × barthiorum) OPPOSITE Hundreds of plants of pseudobulbs. and Clowesia Rebecca Northern Catasetinae — Cycnoches, Catasetum, Ailments Catasetinae are gen- (Grace Dunn × rosea). Mormodes and Clowesia — in the author’s erally free of pests. However, spider greenhouse in January during the plants’ mites are attracted to the soft leaves of Fred Clarke owns and manages dormant phase. Wood-frame benches rest these plants. Spider mites are quite Sunset Valley Orchids. His interests in on concrete blocks, allowing for water to small; they live and feed on the Catasetinae span over 20 years. In the undersides of the leaves. Take care in United States, he is recognized as one drain away freely to the gravel floor and checking for them as the plants are of the foremost breeders of this group. pathways below. leafing out and control them with a His hybridization efforts have created ABOVE The same section of the recommended miticide from your many hybrids that are garnering AOS greenhouse in summer filled with robust garden center. Although the leaves will awards across the country. He has plants whose healthy leaves obscure the drop off during dormancy this is not developed a new , Fredclarkeara benches and ventilated closet shelving on an excuse to not treat for them. After Dark (Mormodia Painted Desert which the plants grow. Overhead fans SELECTIONS If you are into ‘Sunset Valley Orchids’, HCC/AOS × coupled with vents in the greenhouse walls species, I recommend trying Catasetum Ctsm. Donna Wise ‘Kathleen’, AM/AOS), provide much-needed ventilation, while the pileatum, Catasetum tenebrosum, a hybrid that has been producing “the correct amount of light reaches plants Cycnoches warscewiczii, Cycnoches blackest flowers the AOS judges have through sheets of fiberglass glazing cooperi, Cycnoches barthiorum and ever seen.” To date, there have been Clowesia russelianum. And if hybrids 11 AOS awards: an Award of Distinction sheathing the greenhouse wood frame. are of interest, then good choices would (AD), two Cultural Certificates of be Catasetum Orchidglade (pileatum × Excellence (CCE), three Awards of Merit expansum), Catasetum Donna Wise (AM) and five First Class Certificates (tenebrosum × Orchidglade), Cycnoches (FCC). 1255 Navel Place, Vista, Jean E. Monnier (barthiorum × cooperi), California 92081 (e-mail fred.clarke@ Cycnoches William Clarke (herren- worldnet.att.net; Web site www.sunset husanum × cooperi), Cycnoches Martha valleyorchids.com).

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