First Catasetum, Tips appreciated

[mook1178]

I have purchased my first Catasetum. Its a FDK After Dark 'Black Pearl'. I purchased it from Odo'm Orchids and am expecting it next week. I bought it because I wanted a black orchid. Then started researching the genus.

They sound fascinating and fun to take care of. I live in zone 7b. I see people talking about having them outside for the summer. Is that reasonable in my zone? Do they need full sun or part sun? The less light will produce the male flowers, iirc. So probable part sun.

Any other tips would be very helpful.

[orchidsarefun]

Fred is a world renowned expert and says it best.

Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts

[Roberta]

Ditto the link given by Orchidsarefun. Fred Clarke knows at least as much about this group of orchids as anybody on the planet. He says that he has not found any procedure to reliably produce males vs. females... you'll get what you get. But in the case of Fredclarkeara, it's not an issue... it includes both Mormodes and Clowesia, both of which are not dimorphic. So it produces showy flowers routinely. (Catasetum and Cycnoches are the genera that have distinctly different male and female flowers.)

[isurus79]

I don’t have anything to add! Post pics when you get blooms or have troubles.