Catasetum expansum

[nancy]

This plant bloomed in June with female flowers. Okay, the males really *are* prettier.
Compared to last year, these flowers are much greener, I think. I like them!
Regards - Nancy

[dvespertilio]

Hey, Nancy, those are some really, really pretty flowers! And my most favourite of all the catasetum species, too, expansum. Nice growing! Keep up the good work!

[isurus79]

I like those colors a lot! Did you get this one from Tropical Orchid Farm? The expansums that they sell look very similar to this one.

[nancy]

Steve, stop trying to lure me to Tropical Orchid Farm!
I did not get it there, but I think from Gene Monnier awhile back, when he was liquidating.
I've browsed TOF website, and used to sequester myself in a locked room with their color catalogues...they have a lot of really juicy orchids. Tempting.
Cheers - Nancy

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by nancy

Steve, stop trying to lure me to Tropical Orchid Farm!
I did not get it there, but I think from Gene Monnier awhile back, when he was liquidating.
I've browsed TOF website, and used to sequester myself in a locked room with their color catalogues...they have a lot of really juicy orchids. Tempting.
Cheers - Nancy

I know what you mean about the TOF catalogs. This year they were a little late with their catalog so I called to make sure everything was ok!! lol

[dvespertilio]

Nancy and Steve: I know the locked in a room with the TOF catalog routine. I have to give my bank card to my wife when I start looking at that thing! haha

[catwalker808]

Nancy. I think those are male flowers. Female Catasetum flowers are usually very truncated, usually only greenish and really homely ... except to a boy Catasetum flower.

The real tell is what looks like the pollen cap. Or, if you moved the plant when the buds were half formed, the flowers could be hermaphroditic. But I don't think they're female.

[nancy]

Originally Posted by catwalker808

Nancy. I think those are male flowers. Female Catasetum flowers are usually very truncated, usually only greenish and really homely ... except to a boy Catasetum flower.

The real tell is what looks like the pollen cap. Or, if you moved the plant when the buds were half formed, the flowers could be hermaphroditic. But I don't think they're female.

I *should* have said it bloomed female in June, and male this time. I agree, the female flowers are kind of bleah. Little green football helmets, with or without earflaps.
Cheers - Nancy

[Bruno De Toni]

Nancy, that expansum is awesome, piletaums and expansums can be considered as the kings of the catasetums genera.

[dgenovese1]

Awesome nancy!

The photos are just beautiful....and I was thinking...and I hope this doesn't sound too freaky...they kind of look like little white capped aliens doing some kind of disection or something. ...errr..whatever.