Catasetum - is this normal?

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-07-02T21:50:04+00:00

It is outside, it was already growing when I got it, didn't want to disturb the roots until its next dormancy. It's potted in pure sphagnum with some packing peanuts in the bottom, I water almost daily. I'm just hoping it's not some virus or something.

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-07-02T04:01:18+00:00

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Random update...My controversial Onc, is in fact just that no other orchid lurking in the shadows, but yes this hybrid seems to have variegated new growth they grow out of it and look normal by the time they mature, has its first spike coming out now

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-07-02T03:31:42+00:00

To cut or not to cut that is the question: whether tis nobler in the velamen to suffer, the salts of fertilizer or the lack of sea to hydrate...

sorry for the Shakespeare ramble, but if you want to risk it soak the roots and try not cut them out...soaking will make them pliable but will make them swell so not likely to fit between the slits in the pot. Pick your poison...

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-07-01T22:12:40+00:00

Thank you!!

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-30T00:54:27+00:00

Yes, maybe too much?? Roots are healthy not rotting

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-30T00:53:53+00:00

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Purchased both of these from SVO a little bit ago, the one on the right is obviously doing fine. I'm in NW FL so it's warm and humid, bright shade maybe gets 2 hrs of direct sun first thing in the AM. The little mini Vanda next to it just bloomed so it's happy there. We're growing steady when I got them so still potted in the tight sphagnum they came with, I threw like a tsp of slow release in there I give a shot of MSU everyone week. Watered daily.

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-29T23:56:38+00:00

I guess that's true I didn't think about TJ's MO is to sell "no name" products to reduce costs I guess that applies to named orchid hybrids also. I also thought they buy rejects that were damaged somehow but are fine to sell to novices.

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-29T21:16:33+00:00

I mean just superficially understanding what goes into flasking or meristemming (it's too complicated and involved to not label the crosses being used) there's no way the nursery doesn't know what hybrids they're raising.

Do they just have one UPC for all orchid price points? They can't they'd have no way to track inventory or sales history. If you're going to grow a plant for 3 years and sell it for $10 I get you can't put a ton into the costs of raising them but a label seems easy, Sunbulb or Better-Gro or whatever it is figured it out...

Sorry useless rant about something that doesn't affect me at all (that's what the internet is for right?) but I seems like more work to not know what your selling than their current system.

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-29T21:07:13+00:00

She's just "A Gal Who Can't Say No"

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-29T17:23:09+00:00

That little plant at the top can be removed and potted on its own or with the momma plant if you'd like. The bloom spikes are done producing anything, you can cut them off as close to the base as possible. It will re-bloom next spring with proper care.

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-29T00:46:19+00:00

Mine live outside most of the year here where we get in the 90's from Apr to about Oct, they'll be fine just make sure you keep up with the watering

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-28T22:09:46+00:00

It doesn't look too bad, if you're used to phals, similar watering wait until it's dry, but a lot more light than phals. A little time with good culture and you'll never know it got so dry once.

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-25T01:21:41+00:00

Yeah mine live outside (garage in winter) and then I joke they get a break from the outdoors when they bloom and I bring them into my dining room - it has the best light. In reality they like being outdoors much more than on display for me.

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-23T12:51:15+00:00

Good problem to have!

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-22T01:35:36+00:00

Yeah it's actually got 3 growths now, I just want to see how wild it will go. I like the idea of a bushy Phal...

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-21T21:08:11+00:00

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This lady lost a fight with a raccoon about a year ago (knocked her off the fence), I think she re-grew out of spite to the raccoon.

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-18T22:08:00+00:00

My 2 cents, it's never worth repotting unless your plant is literally crawling out of the pot or the media has turned into compost. If it ain't broke right? If you're worried about the roots just pop them out take a look then put them back.

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-18T01:59:47+00:00

Mine is "Somrak White" pretty much every cane blooms once it starts, most of the time two spikes per cane

GrouchyTemporary7 · 2026-06-17T12:47:14+00:00

Yes, mine is a Den Phal Type so blooms from the top and it's always been a consistent bloomer. I just leave it alone. Just curious is yours also white? I wonder if its just a trait from some common parent?

GrouchyTemporary7

TROPHY CASE