Cycnoches herrenhusanum in spike - Orchid Board

marie458 · #1 07-09-2023, 10:05 PM

This will be my first experience with successfully getting a species cycnoches through the winter without rotting or dying on me

So, I'm very excited to see this new growth on my Cycnoches herrenhusanum! I believe it's a spike. Am I correct? If so, should I move it indoors to protect the spike or leave it where it is? With my catesetums in spike, I usually don't move them indoors for protection until the spikes start to show defined buds.

Roberta · #2 07-09-2023, 10:13 PM

Some of your fellow Floridians will have good advice. But Catasetinae in general love warm summer weather. (Hot and humid...) Keep it well watered, and outside. It does look like a spike. Congratulations.

marie458 · #3 07-09-2023, 11:36 PM

Thanks, Roberta! I guess I'm pretty hyper-vigilant when it comes to this particular orchid due to how unpredictable it can be. Also, last year I dealt with some unidentified chewing insect destroying new buds on a catesetum. I was not happy since I had waited so patiently for that particular orchid to flower.

I have this one potted PET style. It gets plenty of water, light, good air circulation and lots of humidity. No doubt that's why it's doing so well. I will keep it outside and keep a watchful eye on that spike!

Roberta · #4 07-09-2023, 11:43 PM

And look out for the critters!! Maybe a screened-in area? And lay in a supply of BT (bacillus thuringiensis) products. Caterpillars and those "little green worms", it works, the only thing that does.

marie458 · #5 07-10-2023, 12:52 AM

I am familiar with BT products. However, I've opted to not use them in my orchid garden because BT kills ALL caterpillars. I have several types of butterflies that visit my garden and I really don't want to harm them.

A temporary screened enclosure is a great idea. I wonder if I can rig up one or two using a couple of butterfly tents I have sitting around. The mesh on those particular tents seems to be pretty caterpillar-proof. Also, I don't have that many catasetinae so I usually don't have too many in bud at the same time. I'm going to try it and I'll let you know if it works

DeaC · #6 07-11-2023, 01:56 PM

Wouldn't Eric enjoy another project? Happy wife...!

DirtyCoconuts · #7 07-11-2023, 03:13 PM

the curly tailed lizards eat spikes of my catasetums...they are awful.

i would not bring it in ever bc air conditioning seems to really piss off outdoor grown plants in my experience

marie458 · #8 07-11-2023, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeaC

Wouldn't Eric enjoy another project? Happy wife...!

Already on it! Eric is drawing up some plans as we speak. He has internalized that mantra very well:

A happy wife means a happy life

Roberta · #9 07-11-2023, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marie458

Already on it! Eric is drawing up some plans as we speak. He has internalized that mantra very well:

A happy wife means a happy life

What great guy! Wow!

marie458 · #10 07-11-2023, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

the curly tailed lizards eat spikes of my catasetums...they are awful.

i would not bring it in ever bc air conditioning seems to really piss off outdoor grown plants in my experience

Curly tails are little beasts for sure. Luckily, I haven't had that issue. However, now that I said it, I've probably jinxed myself!

I agree about the AC. I have a room in the house that seems to keep oven temperatures throughout the year no matter what (it's hot in there!). That's where I usually put my flowering catesetums and they've done pretty well. However, I am going to keep them all outdoors this year. The budding one(s) will go temporarily into a new screened enclosure that will keep them safe from the bugs, hopefully