Catasetum pileatum 'Pierre Couret' x expansum

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Forgive me, I've been growing orchids for years but no nothing about theses plants; it's possible to control what sex the flowers will be?? How does that work?

Very nice plant by the way, the blooms look a bit alien-ish! That plant has been through a lot, what a miracle the spike didn't snap with such a fall.

I believe the sex of the blooms can be influenced by light levels and temperature, lower light and temperatures encourage male flowers which are the more showy. My other Catasetum types flower male under the same light levels and temperature so this is unusual.

They are definitely worth growing, they grow at a rapid rate which can make it a bit more interesting - they are no more difficult than growing something like a hippeastrum, you just need to be aware of the seasonal requirements.

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

I used to grow many catasetums and cycnoches before I moved to colder climates and my experience has been that increased light brings more female flowers and reduced light brings more male flowers... and if you moved plant around while spike was forming you can also have both male and female flowers on same spike and that would come in handy if you wanted to self the flower.

[jcec1]

The blooms are changing shape, with the petals now reflexed behind the hood, the scent has also changed to a minty toothpaste aroma.

[AvantGardner]

The reflexing makes me think fuchsii...

[isurus79]

Ya, seems odd for this cross.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Weird alien blooms. So cool. Poor plant has been through allot.

[jcec1]

Well here are the boys - it produced a female spike earlier in the year - I then moved it to a shady position - which then resulted in two male spikes.

[isurus79]

Stunning! But I don't think this is Ctsm Orchidglade (expansum x pileatum). The flower is too cupped.

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Stunning! But I don't think this is Ctsm Orchidglade (expansum x pileatum). The flower is too cupped.

Thanks - yes it doesn't look like the pic that made me buy it - as someone said last year it may have fuschii in it - which seems more likely.

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

never mind... already posted way back when