Care for cycnoches swan orchid

[jlm086]

My mother brought me home a swan orchid from Florida and I'm not familiar with Catasetum. I live in SE PA, currently have it in a west facing window with blinds to provide some shade, living with my cattelya. Currently about to bloom even after dropping some leaves. Any care tips for a beginner??

[jcec1]

If it has dropped it's leaves it is going into winter dormancy and should be kept dry until spring. The spike will continue to grow using energy stored in the pseudobulb. In spring, once the new growth is well established, with roots 2-3 inches long, only then start watering. It seems severe, but it will do just fine.

There is some good info here Catasetum series on AOS

[isurus79]

Here's another care sheet: Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by jcec1

There is some good info here Catasetum series on AOS

I followed the link to those Catasetinae documents, but they appear to no longer be on the AOS site. (sad... titles looked like they'd all be quite interesting). The Sunset Valley Orchid site reference should give you the info that you need. If you have further questions, you can email Fred Clarke (owner of Sunset Valley Orchids) from the website -he is wonderfully willing to share his knowledge.

[estación seca]

Here is what's on the AOS site now:

Catasetum Culture Sheet

Catasetum

Cycnoches

The Catasetinae series people lament not being able to find is here, in PDF:
How to Grow Specific Orchids

I'm a member, so I don't know whether these are members-only or whether everybody can see them.

[fishmom]

I found this on the AOS site, under Orchids A to Z:
Cycnoches

ETA Oops, cross-posted with estacion seca.