Orchid -Ctsm. Penang “Sweet Heart”

                                        

                                
       ID#607
 
 

Catasetum (Ctsm.) is a genus of the Orchid family, with 166 species.They have thick, cigar-shaped pseudobulbs which are clustered. The leaves are pleated in the upper part and deciduous. The pseudobulbs become spiny after the leaves have dropped. The inflorescence is borne on the basis. It consists of very fleshy flowers that are unisexual, which is exceptional for orchids. The colorful male and yellowish-green female flowers are typically situated on different plants. Which type of flower a plant produces is determined by the conditions under which it grows.

Ctsm. pileatum var. imperial and Ctsm. Susan Fuchs = “Sweet Heart” cultivar

HEIGHT X SPREAD: Large PLANT TYPE: Orchid -Deciduous Temp. 80- 100 F during growing season GROWTH RATE: Fast TEXTURE: bold LIGHT: Strong filtered light. 1/2 to 3/4 full sun WATER: Heavy during growing/flowering season. Stop/reduce water during winter. High humidity 60-70% SOIL: Pot in coarse chunks of fir or redwood bark and/or hardwood charcoal. Moist media in spring/summer, dry in winter
As observed in Coastal NC. BLOOMS: Yellow with dark red wine pattern all over. FRUIT AND SEED:When well grown, these orchids can be divided down to one mature pseudobulb and will then flower on the next mature growth. KEY FEATURES: Deciduous, waxy flowers.
A year cycle in the life of ...... at Mooring Hitch This plant, along with 24 others where given to me by my neighbor, the previous owners “The Cochran’s” which I never met moved out of town and no longer could care for them. About half of the Collection still had plant name/description and sometimes nursery of origin. Very helpful information to guide me into their care. So my education begins..... General notes for Ctsm. Water is a critical factor for the production of large pseudobulbs that result in best flowering. A great quantity of water must be stored by the plant in a relatively short growing season. Water heavily as new leaves are forming. As the pseudobulb matures, gradually reduce watering frequency. Leaves will yellow and drop. At this time, watering should be stopped completely until new growth begins. Water during this dormant period only if the pseudobulbs shrivel severely. -Potting should be timed to coincide with the initiation of new growth, usually in the spring. New roots will be produced quickly at that time, and plants will experience minimal setback. These plants have vigorous root systems and require a rich, moist potting medium during the growing season. -Hang in wood trellis B, the bulbs have shrunk during winter. Increasing water during spring and hope it lives. 04/2012. -Jan. 2014: 2” pot, small seedling but tough, I almost killed it several times, I am getting to understand this plant, hope it continue to work with me.
          Mooring Hitch Gardens       
 

Additional Information: Adopted from Hank & Betsy Cochran Collection.

March  2011

April 2012

May  2011

Flower -  SAMPLE - photo

January 2014