Catasetum pileatum 'Pierre Couret' x expansum

[camille1585]

Forgive me, I've been growing orchids for years but no nothing about theses plants; it's possible to control what sex the flowers will be?? How does that work?

Very nice plant by the way, the blooms look a bit alien-ish! That plant has been through a lot, what a miracle the spike didn't snap with such a fall.

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Forgive me, I've been growing orchids for years but no nothing about theses plants; it's possible to control what sex the flowers will be?? How does that work?

Very nice plant by the way, the blooms look a bit alien-ish! That plant has been through a lot, what a miracle the spike didn't snap with such a fall.

I believe the sex of the blooms can be influenced by light levels and temperature, lower light and temperatures encourage male flowers which are the more showy. My other Catasetum types flower male under the same light levels and temperature so this is unusual.

They are definitely worth growing, they grow at a rapid rate which can make it a bit more interesting - they are no more difficult than growing something like a hippeastrum, you just need to be aware of the seasonal requirements.

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

I used to grow many catasetums and cycnoches before I moved to colder climates and my experience has been that increased light brings more female flowers and reduced light brings more male flowers... and if you moved plant around while spike was forming you can also have both male and female flowers on same spike and that would come in handy if you wanted to self the flower.