Catasetum expansum (2 clones)

[kavanaru]

Two new Ctsm. expansum blooming in my GH...


Catasetum expansum Orange by kavanaru, on Flickr

this one (first time bloom) was labelled as var. alba, but happens to have even more orange than the previous plant, which came labelled as 'Orange' and has never had more orange in the photo shown above..

Catasetum expansum 'Cuarto' by kavanaru, on Flickr
The labellum does not seem to open very well, which could mean that this is actually Ctsm. xsodiroi (on the "near to expansum" side of the variability range of thi snatural hybrid) I need to wait for a second bloom, to see whether this is permanent or just a result of non-optimal culture...

[camille1585]

Very nice, looks like it's Catasetum blooming season at your place! I really like the first one, but don't like so much the cuppy look on the second.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Very nice, looks like it's Catasetum blooming season at your place! I really like the first one, but don't like so much the cuppy look on the second.

Yes, Camille.. Winter is the season for most Catasetinae...

The cuppy one has a fantastic color, however I agree withyou that the form is not so nice... especially, expansum should reflect the labellum... this plant not doing it, could be a hint that it is not a pure expansum but xsodiroi (natural hybrid with macroglossum).. for xsodiroi, similar to xtapiriceps (pileatumxmacrocarpum) there is a large variability with plants very close to macroglossum, plants very close to expansum, and anything in between...

[kavanaru]

and now, fully open... both flowers next to each other:

2 x Catasetum expansum by kavanaru, on Flickr

[catasetum-ian]

your post gets more interesting each time Ramon, learned quite a lot from all your post. green horn like me wouldn't know how to tell the difference. thanks for sharing.