Catasetum pileatum

[kavanaru]

I have already reduced the watering of my Catasetinae and the Cycnodes and Cycnoches have reacted as expected However, my Catasetum pileatum plants just don't want to go dormant and are even producing flower spikes. The one with the large spikes is flowering for the 3rd time in this year (new plant in my collection since June 2007), the other one is producing its first spike this year (last year produced 2 spikes between August and September) Isn't it a bit late for Catasetum pileatum?

I have read of some people forcing dormancy on their Catasetinae by cutting leaves and flower spikes. Do you consider it a good idea?

[Frdemetr]

Huuummm....

In my opion, don't do that. An orchid in spike is a happy plant! In the nature, Ctsm. could be in spike at same time it has seed pods. Congrats, good growing!

[isurus79]

Ya, I wouldnt mess with it. It seems to be REALLY happy!! 3x blooming this year?? Excellent work. I would just keep doing what ever it is that you are doing! Oh, and dont forget to post a picture of the flowers after they open!!

[kavanaru]

Hi Steve,

you can see the picture of the second blooming (only two flowers as in the first one - Three flowers on the third ) in my gallery. To be honest, I am not doing anything special with it, just letting grow as I think it would be the closest to what they have in venezuela... I think I also was just lucky with a good plant from C.H. Orchids
I used to have C. pileatum in Venezuela, and bought the first plant (the one starting now with the first spike) three years ago at an amateur plants show in germany. I said amateur, because there were only housewives and school-kids showing their plants during a charity event. Some of their plants were on sale, as it was the case of that "mini tiny almost dead" (it was dormant) C. pileatum. I only bought it because of being homesick when I read the name on the label. I did not even know whether it would be just a weird hybrid and not the real thing. Not indication at all on the flower or the nursery. This was, let's say it so, my first Orchid in europe It has taken a long journey with me since then, and last year I had the first flowers. Unfortunatelly I did not take any pictures that time. I will post pics of both plants again, when they are ready for a new photo session...

[kavanaru]

so... here it is with its open November flowers...

I love this species...

[Lagoon]

Very nice Ramon. Trippy color!

[Shirley]

Good going, Ramon! Very nice colouring. Well done.

Shirley