Catasetum expansum

[isurus79]

Catasetum expansum on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Catasetum expansum on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

This one seems a little more cup shaped than normal for this species and scent is very nice and a little minty. Enjoy!

[tuvoc]

Really neat, Steve, and minty fresh too! LOL

Kim

[Bruno De Toni]

Thanks for sharing your pics Steve, very nice flowers and I really like those spots.

[Rosim_in_BR]

So nice, Steve!
Orchids in general are addictive... but once you start with Catasetum... how intriguing are these plants! I am trying to build a collection of some species (Ramón, it's your fault!!), already have a dozen plants to see whether I am skilled with this genus or not... so far, so good!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Rosim_in_BR

So nice, Steve!
Orchids in general are addictive... but once you start with Catasetum... how intriguing are these plants! I am trying to build a collection of some species (Ramón, it's your fault!!), already have a dozen plants to see whether I am skilled with this genus or not... so far, so good!

I've found this group to be fairly easy, but more prone to weird stuff, like rot from sunburn or stopping all growth if the plant is moved when the new growth is young. Totally worth it though!! I look forward to seeing more of your Catasetinae Mauro. Watch out though, along with a Catasetinae obsession is a Stanhopinae obsession. They seem to go hand in hand, at least here in the States.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Jan Pahl

Does someone knows how to be accurate segregating pileatum from expansum?

example, this case, I know that kind of dots never appear on pileatum, but the pileatum cup-shape is remarkable... I also saw the opposite in some pileatum (Flat lips or even almost twisted backwards lips)

Thanks for the info
Jan

EDIT. Vegetative info to complete "differences" is welcome if available, but at least floral traits are more than good for me if differences only belongs to flower anatomy "realm"

Jan,
While I can't help you with the differences between expansum and pileatum, I should mention that the flowers on this one are so cup shaped I actually waited a few days for them to open more because the shape is so pronounced. I thought it was very strange.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Jan Pahl

Does someone knows how to be accurate segregating pileatum from expansum?

example, this case, I know that kind of dots never appear on pileatum, but the pileatum cup-shape is remarkable... I also saw the opposite in some pileatum (Flat lips or even almost twisted backwards lips)

Thanks for the info
Jan

EDIT. Vegetative info to complete "differences" is welcome if available, but at least floral traits are more than good for me if differences only belongs to flower anatomy "realm"

Jan, a very cupped labellum in expansum and a flat ("twisted backwards") labellum in pileatum are actually the exception. However, as you mentioned, it could happen (Personally, I only know of one "pileatum" with backwards twisted labellum from a picture but I think it was mislabelled).... Note that the labellum will flatten in both species after few days...

The main difference between both species is the callus next to the central cavity at the base of the labellum. This callus is present in expensum but not in pileatum.

as per vegetative differences.... well.. it is often said that expansum plants are larger than pileatum, however I think this is too variable and influenced by culture... I know quite small and quite large plants from both species...

[Gena]

Beautiful Steve! Congrats!!! I really like spotted forms of expansum – they are very fascinating in my eyes.

Originally Posted by Rosim_in_BR

... but once you start with Catasetum... how intriguing are these plants! I am trying to build a collection of some species (Ramón, it's your fault!!) ......

Well done Ramón!!!! Really great job!

Originally Posted by Jan Pahl

Does someone knows how to be accurate segregating pileatum from expansum?

Well, Jan, I don’t know how accurate it is but I completely agree with Ramón - for me it helps a lot to think about callus on the lip of Catasetum expansum. It is always presented in front part of the orifice and has more or less heart-shaped/triangular form.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Rosim_in_BR

S I am trying to build a collection of some species (Ramón, it's your fault!!), already have a dozen plants to see whether I am skilled with this genus or not... so far, so good!

hehe...

and I am sure you are really skilled Mauro... I have seen your wonderful Catasetum cernuum var albinum - a fantastic plant!! well, actually I should say that the plant looks horrible and is about to die, and that you should send it to Switzerland to get recovered... you know, the fresh air of the swiss alps is excellent for the health of tropical plants

[Gena]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

you know, the fresh air of the swiss alps is excellent for the health of tropical plants

I think I just NEED to visit Switzerland soon.... directly after arriving of Catasetum cernuum ..... good timing is our everything