Catasetum galeritum

[Rowangreen]

Anyone grow this?

I just picked up a plant at a society meeting yesterday, and can't find a great deal about it.

It looks like the flowers are a variable mix of green, pink red and yellow. The seller told me she couldn't remember but she thought it was sort of pinkish and spotty! So will have to wait and see on that!

It also seems quite small: the pulbs are only a couple of inches high. Mature I think though: mine has 3 old pulbs and a new growth, and 2 of the pulbs have remains of flower stalks (not visible in pic). I'm hoping it will flower this year!

This is my first Catasetum species (I've had a Wine Delight for a few months... yet to overwinter! That's a young plant but already bigger than the galeritum)

[isurus79]

I don't know this species at all, but here is a great guide for growing this whole group: Sunset Valley Orchids - Grower and hybridizer of quality orchids, Vista CA

[catasetum-ian]

did not have this one in my collection but the flowers are attractive. would definitely get one if i have the chance. congrats

[Rowangreen]

Thanks for the info. I haven't managed to kill it yet *G*

[Bud]

That is the right size of the plant yet it can give you a bountiful cluster of flowers....
its hard to kill it....the less you water it the more it will like you....as long as you give it the proper light, humidity and warmth.... overwatering it might rot the roots and make the canes soggy and turn into mush

[Rowangreen]

I think I might have a spike starting! A big surprise as the growth still looks like a growth rather than a pulb, though it's a lot taller. The suspected spike is green and pointy and coming out from among the roots (which is where the old spikes came from)

I think it might have a keiki as well: part way up one of the old pulbs, at one of the 'joints' if you know what I mean, there's a little green triangular thing. It's been there a while and hasn't grown really though: maybe the plant changed it's mind and decided to grow the spike instead?

Where I've got it is darker than I'd like, but that makes female flowers more likely? Would be great if I got a mix of course!

[catasetum-ian]

Originally Posted by Rowangreen

I think I might have a spike starting! A big surprise as the growth still looks like a growth rather than a pulb, though it's a lot taller. The suspected spike is green and pointy and coming out from among the roots (which is where the old spikes came from)

I think it might have a keiki as well: part way up one of the old pulbs, at one of the 'joints' if you know what I mean, there's a little green triangular thing. It's been there a while and hasn't grown really though: maybe the plant changed it's mind and decided to grow the spike instead?

Where I've got it is darker than I'd like, but that makes female flowers more likely? Would be great if I got a mix of course!

congrats on your spike. it is common for denticulatum to send out a spike before the PB matures.
yes, got what you meant, the 'joint' you referred to is called a node. it is common to see some node swell slightly but then stop developing, most likely a initial spike that stop developing since it is higher up node. this is because it is uncommon for catasetum to grow a keiki on the upper node (unless all the bottom part is diseased), unlike the cycnoches or its intergeneric hybrids.
darker environment will favor male inflorescence. a robust plant with high light intensity....higher chance of getting female inflorescence. however, it is hard to get female flower in some species no matter what you do!
good luck

[Rowangreen]

Ah, remembered it the wrong way round! I'll have to move it somewhere brighter. Looks like it's healthy and I've had it a while so maybe I'll move it to the 'top shelf'! What would be the best time if I was aiming for a mixed spike?

The growth on a node is on one of the old pulbs: is it possible for them to send out a spike on one that's already flowered, probably a couple of years ago? The pulb looks healthy, with only a little shriveling. The old spike on it (from among the roots) is even still green at the base.

Meanwhile, the only real reference I've found to someone growing galeritum is someone growing a plant rescued from deforestation in it's native region. I did find climate details for that location though... Santarém, Pará - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[catasetum-ian]

it is not easy to aim for a mixed spike, a mixed spiked is usually by coincidence.
i had never experience a old PB that is dormant for several cycle to produce spike again, however a new growth is possible.
though i do not have a galeritum, but i think the general culture is the same. i treat all my catasetums the same.

[Rowangreen]

Oh well, flowers are great whatever they are. I am going to work on fitting it on my sunny shelf though I think.

AndI guess I'll just have to wait and see if the mystery growth does anything else!

Thanks for the help! Hopefully I'll have flower pics to post soon *G*