Possibilities for Catasetum hybridization?

[HumbCa]

Hello, thanks for your help.
I have a Catasetum Pileatum in full bloom right now.
Since these plants are sexually dimorphic and I don't have the "female" plant I have no way of propagating it, which is a shame.
I was wondering whether I can make a hybrid using the pollen from the Catasetum, are there any possibilities for inter-species hybrids? (In a manner akin to Brassavola and Cattleya).
Thanks for helping me

[Roberta]

Well, others in the Catasetum group (like Mormodes, Clowesia, maybe Cycnoches) While these are also members of Cymbidae, I don't think that they are close enough to breed with Cymbidiums or Grammatophyllum

Actually, surprising that the Ctsm. pileatum (I think it is the same one that you showed a photo of in the Identification forum) is blooming and so fully "leafed" this time of year... I'd expect it to be going dormant now. Is there any chance that it was from the southern hemisphere so its seasons a bit confused?

[HumbCa]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Well, others in the Catasetum group (like Mormodes, Clowesia, maybe Cycnoches) While these are also members of Cymbidae, I don't think that they are close enough to breed with Cymbidiums or Gramatophyllum

Actually, surprising that the Ctsm. pileatum (I think it is the same one that you showed a photo of in the Identification forum) is blooming and so fully "leafed" this time of year... I'd expect it to be going dormant now. Is there any chance that it was from the southern hemisphere so its seasons a bit confused?

Hey, thanks for your help. it is indeed from the southern hemisphere, I use the Italian flag because I'm from Italy, however I spend a sizeable chunk of the year here is South America too. I guess I'll change the flag.
Guess I'll have to someday get a hold of a "female" plant, in the meantime I'll just enjoy mine.

[Roberta]

Catasetums can bloom male or female on different inflorescences, sometimes even on the same one occasionally, in different years or in the same year. Occasionally even get one that is not quite one or the other. So Any given plant can be one or the other or both. There's no guaranteed way to get one or the other. In general, more light and more fertilizer can increase the odds of getting female flowers, but no certainty. Oh also, the male flowers typically don't last as long as the female ones (typically less than 2 weeks vs 3 or 4 weeks), no doubt that also relates to the pollination cycle.

I think that to get a situation where you have both in bloom at the same time (same or different) you have to have a lot of them, hoping that the right two will cooperate. (I guess nature works really hard at preventing self-pollination) The make flowers are more interesting, the females all look pretty much alike (rather like a green helmet)

I had a Ctsm pileatum, no longer have it but still have the photos, but do have hybrids with it, and some other species. Here's the link to the relevant page on my website, for some examples.
Catasetinae

[isurus79]

You can store pollen in the fridge. I wrap mine in a bit of paper, but in a prescription bottle, and let it sit for a few years.

[fishmom]

Actually, I have a Catasetum pileatum that is still fully leafed out and is throwing a spike now. It has a nice plump pseudobulb, so even if it goes dormant it may still bloom. I've cut back some on water/fertilizer, but it is still getting some when it is really dry. This plant has gone for several years without ever going completely dormant. It has summered outside, wintered inside.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by fishmom

Actually, I have a Catasetum pileatum that is still fully leafed out and is throwing a spike now. It has a nice plump pseudobulb, so even if it goes dormant it may still bloom. I've cut back some on water/fertilizer, but it is still getting some when it is really dry. This plant has gone for several years without ever going completely dormant. It has summered outside, wintered inside.

That species is known for having a very short dormancy, or none at all!

[SG in CR]

Originally Posted by isurus79

You can store pollen in the fridge. I wrap mine in a bit of paper, but in a prescription bottle, and let it sit for a few years.

Has that worked for you? I find that a lot of the pollen that I try to store for any extended length of time rarely produces a successful pollination. A few days, even a couple weeks sometimes, seems fine but the longer it's been stored, in the fridge or in a dry paper envelope, it seems the less likely a seed pod will form.

Also, in relation the Catasetum blooms, my experienece with C. maculatum is that in full sun they develop larger and pbulbs and female flowers once they have a good energy reserve to fuel the growth of their very large and fast growing seed pods. In the shade pbulbs remain long and skinny and nearly all the flowers will be male. Female bloomers may often produce a second or third spike that can be all over the place in term of what sort of blooms. I've had mixed spikes and flowers that produce pollen and seed.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by SG in CR

Has that worked for you? I find that a lot of the pollen that I try to store for any extended length of time rarely produces a successful pollination. A few days, even a couple weeks sometimes, seems fine but the longer it's been stored, in the fridge or in a dry paper envelope, it seems the less likely a seed pod will form.

Yep! Works great!

Originally Posted by SG in CR

Also, in relation the Catasetum blooms, my experienece with C. maculatum is that in full sun they develop larger and pbulbs and female flowers once they have a good energy reserve to fuel the growth of their very large and fast growing seed pods. In the shade pbulbs remain long and skinny and nearly all the flowers will be male. Female bloomers may often produce a second or third spike that can be all over the place in term of what sort of blooms. I've had mixed spikes and flowers that produce pollen and seed.

This is definitely true and is probably why early growers that that bright sun causes female flowers and that shade caused male flowers. Now we know that big plants throw female flowers and smaller or less well grown plants throw male flowers.