Something from the catasetinae family?

[mexicowpants]

Found this at a local garden centre a few weeks back, hidden away, forgotten about and neglected. All the owner could tell me was "it's an orchid". As it was putting up a new growth, 150 pesos (around 8 bucks) seemed like a sure thing.

That new growth is already putting out 2 flower spikes. Being the impatient kind, I can't wait to know what it is - by the shape of the pbs and leaves I'd guess it's a catasetinae of some kind, but probably wouldn't put any money on that.

Can anyone shed any more light?

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[orchidsarefun]

It does look like a catasetum of some kind. Interesting that it isn't typical as it Its evergreen. Please post photos of the blooms.

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[mexicowpants]

I think it appears to be evergreen because the garden centre was watering it every week all year round. I think it's to do with the sub-tropical climate here. We have another catasetum and if you don't actively stop watering it, it won't shed its leaves. It refused to drop its leaves the first year we had it, so we kept on watering it (not knowing any better at that time) ... the following spring it produced 5 new growths and still had 90% of its previous years' foliage.

Photos of the blooms to follow - can't wait!

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[Subrosa]

Orchids in the genus Dressleria are members of the Catasetum alliance that are evergreen and need watering year round. They are not common.

[Optimist]

I am thinking that you need to wait to see the flowers. If it is so warm there that the leaves are not lost, and the orchid continues to grow, it is just possible that you have a super-large but regular type.

[RobS]

Looks a lot like Chysis to me, they tend to loose leaves arround flowering time and flower on the young shoot.

[estación seca]

Chysis have a very slender base to the pseudobulb, almost like a stalk, which widens above. Catasetinae are thick from the soil up.

[mexicowpants]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Chysis have a very slender base to the pseudobulb, almost like a stalk, which widens above. Catasetinae are thick from the soil up.

That pretty much describes this plant, I'll post a photo later when I get home.

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[mexicowpants]

Here are the photos - as you can see, the pseudobulbs are pretty thin at the base:



The buttons are now much bigger, and have taken on a shape which seems to match photos of chysis buttons I found floating around the web:


So chysis would now seem like a pretty safe bet. Just got to wait until the buttons open to find out the exact species

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[mexicowpants]

Yay, it finally bloomed!

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