Some of my blooming Catasetinae

[Tindomul]

Hi,

I just fell in love with your After Dark, wow!! What conditions do you keep it in?
The Dragon is amazing as well!!!

[katrina]

Thanks for the comment everyone! It's nice having other people get as excited about these plants as I do. Family and most of my friends...just don't get it. OS friends do but most of these guys don't make it to the meetings. So, thanks!

Originally Posted by AvantGardner

Awesome assortment of cats! I especially like the cyc warscewiczii and the mormodes hybrid. They look like they'd make nice babies together. I have a few ctsms in spike now. It's nice growing under lights, the plants don't have 'rigid' schedules, and dormancy is not as long. In Missouri the winter is long and upredictable.

I like growing under lights because w/the constants it's easier to actually "schedule" what needs to be done. BUT, I really like the ease of when they are outside in the summer because I can just grab the hose and go. Watering takes a lot less time during the warmer months. Long and unpredictable winters here too. And it feels like it's never ending this year...as I look out the window and snow piling up again. [sigh]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Hi,

I just fell in love with your After Dark, wow!! What conditions do you keep it in?
The Dragon is amazing as well!!!

I give it the same culture as my other Ctsm. Bright light (even some direct sun in the summer). A LOT of water when they are in active growth...I try to never let them go completely dry during that time. WHen I first start watering in the spring I even set them in saucers of fert water initially to get them get a good, strong start. And, heavy fert w/all of them...they have such a short growing season that I try to push as much growth as I can so I use a time-released granular in the pots AND they get ferted w/the liquid when I fert everything else (or keeping the saucers filled w/fert water).

Then, in the fall when the leaves start to turn...I back off on the water and by the end of the year they are on a schedule of just a little drizzle of water around the outside edges of the pot about once a week or every 2 weeks...depending on how the growths look...until it's time to increase the water again. I don't want the growths to shrivel too much so I just watch that and give sips as needed.

I resume normal, heavy watering once the new growths are a few inches tall and the leaves begin to open up/unfurl. Initially I am very careful not to get water down in the new growths and by using the saucers of fert water that also help avoid any rotting of those new growths.

Hope that helps!

Again, everyone, thanks for all the wonderful comments.

[Tindomul]

Yup, great info!!

[sweetjblue]

Katrina, looks like you have the culture down pat for these. Good growing!
All of these are gorgeous but I think my fav is the Dragon’s Treasure, such a pretty pink.


Judi

[katrina]

Thanks, Judi! I do love this group and I like that they aren't all that demanding for part of the winter. They really agree w/my lazy side.

Yea, I'd say Dragon is top of my favorites too. Long lived, great grower, large flower, great fragrance and those frilly lips...what's not to love, right?

Thanks for the comments Judi and Tindomul!

[isurus79]

Great collection! Where are you getting most of your Catasetinae? Finding Mormodes can be difficult.

[katrina]

Steve - Thanks for the comment! All of mine have come from trades w/other growers, imports, as well as US vendors so, basicially, a mixed bag of sources. I always have my eyes open for new ones and am constantly scouring the big shows in the US for vendors from other countries who might have some and then I get on their email lists.

BTW - I got the skinneri from TOF in Hawaii, the Jumbo Bacia cross from Fred Clark, and the rolfeana from Peruflora.

[NYCorchidman]

I love Wine Delight, Cycnoches warscewiczii, and the last two are super cute!!!

[ula]

Great collection, stunning plants. Now I won't be able to sleep tonight thinking back to your photos .

[pipsxlch]

Lovely, and lovely photos! Thaanks for showing plants too. I've recently started with Catasetinae after being scared of the watering requirements, but after 2 years my Monn. Millenium Magic seems happy enough. Just got my 1st Stanhopea to try out. If you choose to part with the After Dark and Kevinator ends up not getting it, I may be interested. I like the black flowers, but then I tend to prefer dark colors in general.