Cycnoches warscewiczii

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by Regelian

A true gem! Very gracefull form. I think you've gotten the hang of the Genus.

Jamie

Thanks, this spike had a really nice pendant form, helped by having no leaves when it formed, I just love the weird sweet/synthetic fragrance of these plants.

[bil]

I have a warscewiczii that I bought last autumn, and when it flowered, I was blown away by the scent.

[No-Pro-mwa]

What a beauty. I still haven't gotten the guts to try these.

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

What a beauty. I still haven't gotten the guts to try these.

I think as long as you adhere to the dry winter rest, they are not too difficult, once growing they are real water hogs and grow really quickly.

[bil]

Lots of water and high fertiliser levels too.

[No-Pro-mwa]

But what about humidity and temps. I thought they were warm growers and wanted high humidity? Which of course I have neither. I do well with Catt's, well some.

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

But what about humidity and temps. I thought they were warm growers and wanted high humidity? Which of course I have neither. I do well with Catt's, well some.

I grow at a max of 25C in summer with humidity in the 30s indoors on a windowsill with no real difficulties.

[estación seca]

Shannon, our problem in the dry west is figuring out how to give enough light without burning, and giving enough water without drowning. Humidity isn't the issue.

Oh, and finding spider mites before they do much damage.

[bil]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

But what about humidity and temps. I thought they were warm growers and wanted high humidity? Which of course I have neither. I do well with Catt's, well some.

Well, I started with Catasetum last year. One, as Estacion Seca said was blitzed by mites, but is now throwing a nice shoot. The other, a C. Black Pearl, just grew, and grew, and grew. It now is pushing out three nice shoots.

My temps are high, and humidity medium to low, and in winter they go down to 12 -14. They sit in the greenhouse at 50% shade all year round.

[Regelian]

Shannon, you'll never know, unless you try. As the others have noted, they are not a difficult group, although I find Mormodes and Cycnoches the least forgiving. They truly requre a dry winter rest, otherwise they will rot. Catasetum and hybrids involving it are quite easy in culture. They love light, but do not want their leaves getting too hot, which can be an issue in Summer. I run a ventilator for air movement, which cools the foliage (I personally need it as well!). Their rest period may be quite short, only a couple of weeks, some rarely rest (hybrids especially).

Any new orchid group is an adventure...and that is really the whole fun of it. Once you start noting what the plants are doing, it seems to all fall into place. Admittedly, those who grow Cattleya or Dendrobium want to water too early in the season, but this is quickly learned. I lightly mist my collection daily in the Winter and don't worry about some p-bulb shrivelling. Once the plants are in virulent growth, they want masses of water and fertilizer (normal dose, but every watering). Once the bulbs are fully mature, slack off on watering, but do not stop completely until the leaves show signs of yellowing. Depending on the species/hyrid, they will be in bloom during this time, some earlier. They still do not need watering once the leaves are yellowing or gone. Misting is enough.

All orchids enjoy humidity, but often do not require it. The down side is spider mites. They thrive in low humidity. Placing the plants on gravel trays to raise the humidity can work wonders. When it gets hot I spray the underside of leaves, which is where the mites hide. Neem oil is a good, simple systemic.

Hope this not only helps, but brings you over the hill to go out and try at least one of these beauties.

Jamie V.

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