Unidentified rescued Catasetum

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by SG in CR

During Easter a week of rainy weather will generally come through which seems to be make the difference between the type of vegetation in my area and the drier Guanacaste further west where the Easter rain doesn't reach.

Could you also tell us a bit about the Guanacaste? What Catasetum species are out there and how much drier would you say it is?

I saw Catasetum maculatum growing wild in Panama's very dry area (near Pedasi) and am wondering if Guanacaste is similar.

[snowflake311]

I really need to move to Costa Rica I have been there and plan on going back. What a great place with awesome people. The orchids and parrots are what seal the deal of my dream to move there.

Such a cool plant.

[SG in CR]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Could you also tell us a bit about the Guanacaste? What Catasetum species are out there and how much drier would you say it is?

I saw Catasetum maculatum growing wild in Panama's very dry area (near Pedasi) and am wondering if Guanacaste is similar.

Guanacaste has Catasetum in the higher elevations where it's a bit cooler. No idea which species. But the northwest of Costa Rica is a lot drier than the southwest which is similar to Panama's west coast.
The only orchids I know that can handle the really dry low elevation areas are Encyclia cordigera and the very common Brassavola Nodosa. I'm sure there are others but I don't live down there so I'm not that familiar with them. But it is rough on epiphytes. They have about 4-5 months without a drop of rain most years and many trees shed their leaves to conserve water, leaving the orchids exposed to the full sun.
I found this list of orchids found in the Santa Rosa NP that is typical of the dry Guanacaste climate.
THE GLOBAL ORCHID TAXONOMIC NETWORK

---------- Post added at 10:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:24 AM ----------

Originally Posted by snowflake311

I really need to move to Costa Rica I have been there and plan on going back. What a great place with awesome people. The orchids and parrots are what seal the deal of my dream to move there.

Such a cool plant.

Costa Rica is a great place for those who love tropical plants and animals. I've been here for over 8 years and I'm still discovering new things. But living here isn't for everyone. I personally plan on heading back to the States eventually. The culture is great for those who like the laid back "pura vida" attitude to life. I'm still in the working/productive years of my life, so it drives me nuts at times.