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Southern Hemisphere bare-root Mormodes spiking

Discussion in 'Orchid Culture' started by Steve C, Jun 23, 2018.

  1. Jun 23, 2018 #1
    Steve C

    Steve C New Member

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    I received several Catasetinae from a Brazilian vendor at the Redlands show in May. They normally arrive bare root with leaves removed, which makes sense to me thinking they would normally be going at that time anyway. And I then leave them bare root until they start new growth, which has worked very well the three years I've done this. (I'm in the northern hemishpere.)

    But one of them started spiking, which makes me think I should pot it up. I was thinking maybe I should use something like clay pellets as opposed to something that would hold more moisture. Does anyone have any suggestions?
     

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  2. Jun 23, 2018 #2
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I have the same problem. I cut the spike off so the plant doesn't expend energy on the flowers. But I would be interested to hear what anyone else does.
     
  3. Jun 25, 2018 #3
    Steve C

    Steve C New Member

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    I contemplated that - I'm not sure I have the heart to do that though. I've always had difficulty getting plants to switch their seasonality, although the Catasetums and related seem to do better with that than other genera. But this is the first one that's been spiking when I'd really prefer it to be dormant. Hmm, I guess having said that kind of leads my down the path you're suggesting ...