male vs. female

[gngrhill]

On another note in this group of plants, I have read about male and female blooms. I don't remember which of these do that. Can anyone straighten me out on that subject ?

[MrHappyRotter]

The Catasetum group is notorious for it.

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by gngrhill

On another note in this group of plants, I have read about male and female blooms. I don't remember which of these do that. Can anyone straighten me out on that subject ?

For species and some hybrids, you get all male flowers OR all female on one spike. I have seen photos in a presentation where a spike had both but that is rare. One of my species has a spike of one sex/gender and then has another of the opposite sex/gender shortly after. How is that for weird?

This group cannot all be forced into any one category.

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[AvantGardner]

The genus catasetum and the genus cycnoches display sexual dimorphism in their flowers, that is they have male or female flowers. The genus mormodes usually has normal (perfect) flowers, but can tend to lean "more" male or "more" female.

In this thread, I crossed two catasetum. The first pic is the male (pollen) parent. The second pic is the female (seed) parent, and the third pic shows the female carrying the seed pod.

Chance catasetum cross

Hope I didn't muddle things up more

[gngrhill]

Originally Posted by AvantGardner

In this thread, I crossed two catasetum. The first pic is the male (pollen) parent. The second pic is the female (seed) parent, and the third pic shows the female carrying the seed pod.

Chance catasetum cross

Hope I didn't muddle things up more

No, very clear and thank you for the info and for the link

---------- Post added at 11:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:06 PM ----------

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

One of my species has a spike of one sex/gender and then has another of the opposite sex/gender shortly after. How is that for weird?



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Maybe it has a thing about incest and is trying to prevent it.

[AvantGardner]

Originally Posted by gngrhill

Maybe it has a thing about incest and is trying to prevent it.

That is exactly the point. Species with greater genetic diversity stand better chances of adaptation to changing environments. Catasetum and cycnoches are (arguably) the most highly evolved plants on the planet.

[katrina]

Clowesia and Mormodes are perfect flowers so you won't see the male/female thing w/those species. The others...it's a crap shoot but the plant needs to mature enough and in good health to produce females.

I've had a couple that produced spikes w/both male and female and it's only ever been on pure Ctsm. Meaning, it's never happened on any Cyc/Cycd and/or a ctsm that was hybridized w/one of those. I don't know if could or couldn't happen on one of those...just saying I've never experienced it.

IMO, the females are frustrating. I had a lot of plants bloom out female last year (time and again w/multiple spikes!) and, personally, I find them to be ugly. Getting one from time to time is cool because you know you're growing the plants well but to have a bunch of them leaves you w/nothing but ugly green (or mostly green) helmets. The males are the beautiful flowers. I really don't even care for the helmet looking species so getting plant after plant that blooms out looking similar to those...ugh.

The Cyc/Cycds can have prettier females but I find most end up being a muted version of the males. And/or a solid version of the males and the shapes are noticeably different but they aren't helmets...which is nice. Many times they are also larger than the males and I've had females that last weeks longer than the males. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, the female Ctsm flowers usually last a good deal longer than the males flowers too.

When you get a female...you will know it.

[gngrhill]

Thanks all for your input. It's much clearer now.

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by AvantGardner

That is exactly the point. Species with greater genetic diversity stand better chances of adaptation to changing environments. Catasetum and cycnoches are (arguably) the most highly evolved plants on the planet.

Another reason could be they can vegetatively propagate ( new bulbs and if old bulbs break off, they can sprout ) and therefore can be more "choosy".....in other words rely on the genetic diversity thingy through separate pollination.


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[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by katrina

Clowesia and Mormodes are perfect flowers so you won't see the male/female thing w/those species. The others...it's a crap shoot but the plant needs to mature enough and in good health to produce females.

I've had a couple that produced spikes w/both male and female and it's only ever been on pure Ctsm. Meaning, it's never happened on any Cyc/Cycd and/or a ctsm that was hybridized w/one of those. I don't know if could or couldn't happen on one of those...just saying I've never experienced it.

IMO, the females are frustrating. I had a lot of plants bloom out female last year (time and again w/multiple spikes!) and, personally, I find them to be ugly. Getting one from time to time is cool because you know you're growing the plants well but to have a bunch of them leaves you w/nothing but ugly green (or mostly green) helmets. The males are the beautiful flowers. I really don't even care for the helmet looking species so getting plant after plant that blooms out looking similar to those...ugh.

The Cyc/Cycds can have prettier females but I find most end up being a muted version of the males. And/or a solid version of the males and the shapes are noticeably different but they aren't helmets...which is nice. Many times they are also larger than the males and I've had females that last weeks longer than the males. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, the female Ctsm flowers usually last a good deal longer than the males flowers too.

When you get a female...you will know it.

I agree and I like your descriptions. hahaha

This is why I like Cycnoches more. Whatever happens, you are safe!