What's your Experience with Cycnoches cooperi?

[NYCorchidman]

Ok, so I have a hybrid of coopei and Jumbo Cooper.
First of all, do these turn out as nice as that dark chocolate cooperi parent or highly variable?
I guess I answered myself.

Anyways, mine spiked for the first time over a month ago. The spike grew and grew and by the time I could see about a dozen buds, the whole thing just withered away. I was super upset considering this thing only flowers around this time of the year and don't last very long in bloom.

Then, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the second spike was sprouting on the next upper node.
I thought maybe this time...
Then just the other day, the same thing happened.
I could see well over 10 buds, and now it turning red brown and dying.

The crazy thing is that the plant is making a third spike at the lower node, one below where the very first spike emerged.

I have flowered cycnoches fine in the past and I have one other one, also from Fred Clark, but not the same, Sawn Cascade (or Cascading Swan) x warscewiczii in bloom.

So I don't think I did anything different.
Is this cooperi thing or is my plant just a crazy one?

[isurus79]

While I have no experience with this hybrid, I know that cooperi is no different a grower than its close relatives, barthiorum and herrenhusanum. Its not particularly finicky as far as I can tell.

[katrina]

I have found/experienced that some will not hold their buds well if they aren't getting enough water. The ones that flower before the leaves begin to turn seem to need more water in order to bring the buds to flowers. At least that's been my experience.

I continue to water heavily (even sitting in saucers of water) until I see the leaves begin to turn. At that point I start reducing watering but I don't let them go dry between waterings until the leaves are about half way to falling.

BTW - it's Swan Cascade not Sawn. Just letting you know in case your tag is misprinted.

BTW #2 - anything barthiorum or cooperi and/or their hybrids tend to be HIGHLY variable. Then again, I find many of the hybrids to be exceptionally variable. I'm at a point where if I'm looking for a specific flower type/form/color...I am only going to buy plants that I can see the blooms. Meaning previously bloomed and I can see a pic or in bloom plant or division of a plant that I know the flower. I have given away more Ctsm in the past 3 yrs than I can remember because they bloom out different than the look I want.

[NYCorchidman]

It's my typing error.
It is Swan. lol

Both plants have all the leaves super green and alive! lol

The thing is that I have been careful not to dry them out, but the one with more cooperi in it might be more sensitive to lack of water.
They are both in tight ball of sphag, but apparently the roots don't go bad in such conditions. I find that strange, in a good way.
I see what you say about getting the one with known flower color & forms.
I am shooting for nice yellow (like my Golden Shower) and dark chocolate cooperi.

My Swan Cascade x warscewiczii came out rather ambiguous in color. I'm not sure if I like or hate it. lol
The flowers just dropped, but I noticed this morning that there is another spike just popping out the pb.
Yay!!! I want some male flowers this time, but I don't really care.
Male flowers are much more attractive in my eyes, but you said female flowers last longer.

I really want to see the other hybrid to bloom.
It at least has a great potential of having many flowers like cooperi. It just blast so easily.
If the third one fails, I'm not sure if I will have the patience to even keep the plant. lol

[katrina]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Both plants have all the leaves super green and alive! lol

Then water away! I know some people force dormancy but I find that most do it on their own when they are ready. If my growths are mature enough and they aren't heading in that direction by late December then I do take action and start reducing water. But only w/mature plants...not super seedlings.

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

The thing is that I have been careful not to dry them out, but the one with more cooperi in it might be more sensitive to lack of water.
They are both in tight ball of sphag, but apparently the roots don't go bad in such conditions. I find that strange, in a good way.

Could be it's a young plants and it's just being over-enthusiastic about flowering too. I've had the bud drop in those that had plenty of water...when they were young. Now that I think about it...I've also had it happen a few times for no apparent reason. If you watered it enough...could just be the plant. Ctsm are fun but they can also be frustrating.

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I want some male flowers this time, but I don't really care.
Male flowers are much more attractive in my eyes, but you said female flowers last longer.

Females last longer yes but I would also much prefer the male flowers. They are so much more attractive!

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I really want to see the other hybrid to bloom.
It at least has a great potential of having many flowers like cooperi. It just blast so easily.
If the third one fails, I'm not sure if I will have the patience to even keep the plant. lol

Hang in there...I'm sure it'll eventually bloom very well for you.

[NYCorchidman]

Thank You.

Ok, I'll keep the easy blaster (the one with more cooperi) on the wet side to see if this third spike will make it.

By the way, there is this person on eBay who sells flask of this same cross I have, Jumbo Cooper x cooperi, that picture is of cooperi parent with so many male flowers. That's what I want!!!

I wonder if he or she sells a few flasks because I have seen this thing listed for a few months now.
As tempting as it is, I just don't have space to grow them all out. It would definitely be something I'd do had I not space limit issues. oh, well...

[katrina]

You're very welcome!

Those big, cascading spikes full of flowers ARE gorgeous! Hopefully you will get just that at the next flowering.

I hear ya on the spacial constraints. I have a couple of compots a friend gave me but I can't imagine trying to find space for an entire flask full of babies. I need a much bigger grow space before I can ever consider doing flasks.

Good luck w/the next bloom and do keep us posted on it.

[NYCorchidman]

Ok, I will.