Cycnoches warscewiczii

[Tricho]

Hi Nancy

Originally Posted by nancy

are very much greener than yours

yes, the color on mine is the true one, but i like greener as yours too!

Originally Posted by nancy

The scent will almost knock you down: a combo of banana, moth balls, acetone and maybe a bit of cat spray

Well, now i know who to ask about scents, I can never describe these things. But they are really outstanding

[Tricho]

Thanks Oscar

Originally Posted by Oscarman

How do you grow these types?

I don't mean to appear cryptic, but i really do what is written about them.

When in grow (new roots with 2 or 3 inch and new grow) plenty of water and fertilizer. Hot spot and bright light. Never let it dry. They are heavy feeders.

In the beginning of winter I start to let it almost completely dry, no fertilizer at all. Only control to see if the pseudobulbs don't shrivel too much (never happended to me, high humidity in winter). They like to go dormant. You can cut the leaves if they don't want to go dormant

Catasetum and Clowesia I let it completely dry in winter, but Cycnoches and Mormodes not so much. You have to adjust to your conditions.

one thing that results very well to me is to put the pseudobulb almost not touching the media ( I use a stick if needed). So the probability of rot is minimized

If you don't have any, start by a Catasetum. They are easier.

[nancy]

I agree with Tricho's cultural feelings. I think on the AOS site there is advice to cut off the roots, and separate into individual pseudobulbs in winter, and leave these to dry. I heartily disagree, and have found that leaving the entire plant on its mount, or in its pot or basket, whole, is much better over the winter.
As Tricho says, pot the plant high in a pot, or leave a circle around the plant with no medium touching the tops of the roots - I have lost no plants to rot since growing this way. And cutting off the roots, to me, is a very bad idea - plants do not grow this way in the wild.
Conventional growing methods also say that higher light = female flowers while dimmer light = male. I am beginning to suspect that the older plants tend to get more female flowerings. But I could be wrong!
I think all of these catasetinae flowers are the work of a very fanciful artist - they do not look like all the other flowers; I hope the hybridizers do not try to tinker with these until they all have round, flat similar flowers. I like all of their ruffles and bristles and oddities. Vive la difference!

[Oscarman]

Thanks for the advice - I am eager to try one (or two!)

[Tricho]

Nancy, I totally agree with you!

Originally Posted by nancy

Conventional growing methods also say that higher light = female flowers while dimmer light = male. I am beginning to suspect that the older plants tend to get more female flowerings. But I could be wrong!

Yes, you are right. Although not clear cut, it seems that the more energy the plant will have the higher the probability of turning female. And size and number of pseudobuls are important in giving more energy to new growths (besides light, as mentioned).

Originally Posted by nancy

Vive la difference!

I totally agree. I do like hybrids and somewhat improved flowers or/and plants. But, for my taste, the "perfect" flower is not the one that necessarily has more points in an AOS judgement.

[TeresaE]

I purchased a Cycnoches haagii on Sunday (Dave did you get one from Paramount?? )

There were three to choose from (Cycnoches peruviana & Cycnoches chlorochilon as well), and I liked this one the best....can't wait until it flowers!! At least I hope it does! Here is a pic I found online of it.

[KEGinMichigan]

Very cool, Teresa!

Kev

[Tricho]

Well done Teresa!
For me, this one is even nicer!

I don't have one of those yet, but i'm getting one this year, late in the sumer, in one expo!

Good growing

[TeresaE]

Yeah I am very excited!! If I can get this one to bloom I may get another one. Apparently these need to be bone dry for 2-3 months when they are dormant, plus they loose all their leaves, so I'd better remember not to throw it out thinking its dead, LOL!

[Tricho]

Hi Teresa

Originally Posted by TeresaE

Apparently these need to be bone dry for 2-3 months when they are dormant

yes, that's it
In my setup it is not a problem, but if in yours conditions the pseudobulb shrivel too much do water. Just enough to keep it from dry altogether.

If you like pendant, try Clowesia!