Three plants bloomed so far in 2021....all female flowers...????

[DirtyCoconuts]

I am never going to complain about any flower. Buuuuut what is the deal? I have no idea how to influence this but I am a little concerned that something is off in my culture.

I have two more spiking now, one of which is Black jade and she was male last year so I am very hopeful the trend will reverse


I’ll add pics of all the insane nuns but I can’t from my phone

Any thoughts or insights?

[Roberta]

I don't know if it is possible to have much control over the gender... taking Fred Clarke's word for it. But he, and others, have observed that really ideal conditions can make a plant produce more females... and more mature plants as well. Which is reasonable, since to carry a pod to maturity takes a lot more energy than the flash-in-the-pan performance of the males. So maybe try less light. I don't know what other stressor you might try. Perhaps a problem living in "orchid heaven"??

I have a sample size too small to draw any conclusions, have my first just opening - male. On a small plant (seedling last year) and it's getting cold at night (nights still in the high 50's F) so definitely less than ideal. Some spikes getting close, but not far enough along to tell what they'll be.

[Mr.Fakename]

I'll shut the hell up on Catasetum culture because I don't know anything about it, but from my limited understanding, Roberta nailed it.

Fred mentions it in an orchid society talk:

Fred Clarke Discussing Catasetums at the Atlanta Orchid Society - YouTube

TL;DR, he says he keeps some plants smaller and more shaded to have males; and big, very well fed plants in high light for females.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Thanks all!!



I emailed fred. He was quick to answer, as always.

He said ideal conditions make for early female blooms. Expect a late flush of males if they are really happy.

Fingers crossed.

He’s such a great guy and resource in our community.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

I have two more spiking now, one of which is Black jade and she was male last year so I am very hopeful the trend will reverse.

hahaha. I'm the opposite DC! I would absolutely love to have any of mine get those super interesting alien flowers!!!

[Roberta]

Problem with Catasetum female flowers is that if you have seen one you have seen them all. Other than occasionally getting a little more color in one than another, they all look alike. There must be fragrances or pheromones that pollinators use to get the pollen to the correct flower. They certainly can't use form to figure it out.

[isurus79]

If you don’t end up getting males, chop the plants in fall. The smaller plants will throw males.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Steve, two are seedlings I bought last year!!!

I am going to maybe move their frowning area if a few more are all female. I can put them in a shadier spot where they will have to work a bit more lol

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Steve, two are seedlings I bought last year!!!

I am going to maybe move their frowning area if a few more are all female. I can put them in a shadier spot where they will have to work a bit more lol

Your orchids are frowning!?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Steve, two are seedlings I bought last year!!!

I am going to maybe move their frowning area if a few more are all female. I can put them in a shadier spot where they will have to work a bit more lol

Oh wow! Stop being such a good caregiver!! 🤣😂

You know, you might consider a harsh winter for them as a “stressor.” I wonder if that would change their bloom gender. Winter water isn’t something that I’ve ever considered as potential method for throwing females. Could be an interesting experiment.