New to Clowesia and Cynoches...Help?
 

Hello my name is sam miller and im new to this type of orchid and ive always been interested in them since the first time i saw them! they are very unique and Stunning!!! so I was hoping that you guys could show me the ropes so to speak! i really would like to try one of these guys out! For the Clowesias i found this stunning variety called: Catasetum Grace Dunn 'Chadd's Ford' AM/AOS. its beautiful!!!! And For the Cynoches:Cycnoches Wine Delight

I have been growing mostly Catts and Dends in my 5 years of growing and have been succesful. I've finally got the hang of it and wanna branch out from those types and get Dirty you could say in the orchid world learn all i can and grow different types!
Could you reccomend any tips? Are these guy's good starters?? Please Get Back to me:biggrin:

Check out this web page Sunset Valley Orchids - Grower and hybridizer of quality orchids, Vista CA. Its the Cat bible and is a good place to start. If you havnt already, check out his pics too. Theyre awesome! As far as culture is concerned, these guys are super easy. Lots of light (high Cattleya light) when growing and a lot of water (quick drying though) with TONS of fertilizer. You really cant 'burn' these guys with fertilizer like you can with other 'chids. Then, in the fall the leaves will start to drop and then you throw the plant in a corner and forget about it until new growth in the spring! You literally cannot water them when dormant or they will die. Your choice of the Cycnodes (not Cycnoches, because Cycnoches is a species while Cycnodes is a hybrid) Wine Delight is very large plant with big flowers and it looks really cool. Hope this helps!!

Thats good to Know you really helped out alot Thank you!!!!! Is culture the same for the clowesia as well?? the flowers of alot of the Clowesia are really cute and beautiful!

clowesia culture
 

My Clowesia and Catasetum bloom a after they drop thier leaves, so don't throw those toooo far into the corner. I still withold water on them after the leaves are gone. The blooms last well and don't seem to need any. Here are a couple of pictures to keep you fired up about them.

Clowesia has same culture.

Ed, those pics are really cool!!

Wow thats amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! What do you grow them in? um and most importantly where do you buy them from???? i really wanna do this! any concerns about growing mediums?? pot types?? Does it matter what time of year i buy them in???

Wow thats amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! What do you grow them in? um and most importantly where do you buy them from???? i really wanna do this! any concerns about growing mediums?? pot types?? Does it matter what time of year i buy them in???

Where to get them.
 

I have used several different mixes, with varying results. This one (Rebecca Northen) is just in a regular bark/charcoal mix (but with sphagnum packed around the edges).

The keys are: LOTS of water and fertilizer while growing, NONE after the leaves fall.

There are two places where I've gotten most of mine (I don't remember exactly where I got this particular one). First is SVO. This is thier website (takes you to some very good culture instructions) and you can access thier catalog from here. Also, Fred Clark is a wonderful source of information. Either he, or Gene Monnier (now out of the business) would be considered "the man" regarding Catasetinae.

Sunset Valley Orchids - Grower and hybridizer of quality orchids, Vista CA

Also, here is the website for Pine Ridge, a place that is continuing with much of Monnier's stock, and has many varieties available.

Pine Ridge Orchids - Home Page

Enjoy!

Ed

Catasetums
 

If you can find a copy, get Arthur Holst's The World of Catasetums. My local library had a copy and after much searching I found a copy at an orchid show.

Clown Alley Orchids has a good online selection, too.

Lastly, stick with Catasetums, Cycnoches and Clowesia for now. The Mormodes and certain hybrids may be a little too picky for a beginner, IMO.

Hey is there any time of year thats better to but than the other??? i wanna buy one soon so could you tell me if i should wait till spring or can i get one Now???