Catasetum... don't have one, but I think I want one!

[frostychic]

Ok... I only know enough to be dangerous. I've got some vandas in open baskets... one potted, a couple of Phal. type Dends and 3 or 4 Phals... and a new arrival on the way.

Some of these were bought on eBay. I've had excellent luck with the 2 eBay sellers I've bought from. I've just purchased a Dendrobium Nobile type and am considering adding something from that same seller (this is the first time I've bought from this seller on eBay) and I checked out the AOS info about Catasetum but I was wondering if any of you that love & grow this type of orchid would share the good, the bad & the ugly with me about them?

Here is what I'm considering (because I love the color & the care on the culture sheets sounds like they are somewhat lower maintenance than some other types of orchids I already own...)

Catasetum expansum BS Rare Species Orchid Plant* - eBay (item 120350920673 end time Feb-13-09 19:04:20 PST)

Your thoughts

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by frostychic

Your thoughts

I have 3:
1) Before you buy a catasetum, read all the cultural stuff and threads about them here on the forum. They do not behave like other commonly grown orchids. They have long leafless dormant periods during which they get no water, not a drop. So know what you're getting into regarding their care.
2) It's not a rare species as the seller claims. As a rule of thumb, be suspicious whenever a seller claims something is "rare". It's often not the case. You could find this species at any number of orchid nurseries.
3) Given the size of the plant, the current bid of $23USD plus change is about the top end of what I'd expect to pay. I definitely wouldn't go more than $25. You could probably find one, possibly even a bigger one, from a species specialist for $20-25.

Them's my thoughts.

[jay]

I absolutely love all of the Catasetinae orchids. (Catasetum, Mormodes, Clowesia, Cycnoches, etc. and of course their hybrids).

I would suggest this vendor that has some great varieties and great service. Fred Clarke specializes in this family with great species and hybrids including the infamous Fredclarkeara After Dark which can be near black.

Sunset Valley Orchids - Grower and hybridizer of quality orchids, Vista CA

Let us know if you get any.

[kmarch]

I also just noticed that a recent customer gave the seller negative feedback for a plant being smaller than expected. hmmmmm....

I'm with Jay though about them being some of the coolest, most interesting orchids and Fred Clarke is THE MAN for this genera.

[frostychic]

Heheheee... I absolutely agree with the "rare" comment. Anytime I see "rare or vintage" in the title I always go "hmmmmmm". I wondered about size with this seller when I noticed all of his/her auctions only say approx. size rather than show photos of the actual plants. I know the photos take extra time & a little more in cost to post on eBay but it also allows for misinterpretation of the goods.

The part in the culture sheets that I found most interesting was the long periods of rest with absolutely no water... and some reports of people actually resting them bare root just to be sure there was no moisture present. If I understood correctly they don't need much in the way of light either during this time... and what about temps during rest. Can I put one of these suckers in the root cellar with the spuds? Hahhaaa, just joking but the way I read it seemed like when dormant they didn't require much.

I will do another search on the board for catasetum & re-read the AOS culture sheet... you guys all have such great advice I wanted to see what you do with them in your collections.

How do you fanatics that raise/own them rest them?

I looked at several different photos of blooms and it looked like they are in all sorts of shapes. What attracted me to the plant I posted the link to was absolutely the look of the bloom. I really like that large/bold round petal look (as well as that green color) ... so the "rare" part of it wasn't what got me, lol... price does seem salty though.

Thank you for mention of a good grower... I will check out the site

[jay]

Mine have all pretty much gone dormant. I think one might still flower. I have them in the same place I grow them, I just don't water them anymore. I don't think you want them to get cold.

[jerrymeola]

I would not laugh at the root cellar, that may be the perfect spot. I have heard of people throwing them in a draw for the rest period. A little water is not critical and I know people who only put their pots on a top shelf laying on their side in the greenhouse.

You should realize the flowers are very short lived, especially the species and the more unusual shapes. An example is this one on which I have never been able to get the flowers to last more than a week. These are 5 inch flowers and I can never get them at the right time for a show. Also suppliers are very bad on properly naming plants. Do not trust the name on this photo.



A good first orchid in this group is Wine Delight a hybrid that is easy to grow and the flowers can last more than a month.

[frostychic]

Gosh this is great information!

I was wondering how long the blooms lasted and I would be let down if I waited a year for a one week bloom So the bigger, fancier the bloom the shorter it's life? Same goes with species vs. hybrids?

Ok... two silly questions. First how can I tell a "hybrid" vs. a species of this type orchid? Second... what would you call an "unusual" shape ??? I'm not sure what is a normal shape vs. an unusual shape...

I have been also reading to see what the night time temps are that they prefer during dormancy and during growth... my root cellar may be warmer/colder than your root cellar, lol.

[frostychic]

Oh... and I DID see that "Catasetum expansum BS Rare Species" on Fred's site... so much for rare huh?

[LauraGR]

I just spent about an hour on the Sunset Valley Orchid site. Thanks for the referral. What a wonderful site, very interesting reading, and the many pages of photos are fantastic.
I was really taken by the propetalum pics - I love Zygopetalums, and I know there has been some discussion of that recently.
I would think the Catasetum dry spells are somewhat like all of the perennials around here that go dormant for an extended period, then come back to life the next season. Makes it easier to deal with when I think of it that way. The short flower life is not too different than some of the spring bulbs - but obviously a whole lot more work when we have them indoors. That first one you showed, Jerry, might just be worth the effort for how pretty and different it is.

[jay]

Don't forget that many of them have incredible scents as well.

[kid a]

I love plants in this group too and want to get more of them since I only have a cycnoches so far! Let me know if you get one and how it does for you since your in the same zone as me, lol! I also remeber that that Russ Vernon of New vision Orchids was selling his cycnoches from plug trays in September for $10, he's from here in Indiana and a great grower. The cycnoches I got came from him, he probably still has them.

I like to flip through orchid encyclopedias and just happened to stop at catasetum yesterday and OMG they have some beautiful flowers!

[jerrymeola]

do not take what I said about unusual shapes or species vs hybrids as too much of a generality. There may be as many exceptions as there are plants.

I meant to emphasize that you need some research about which to buy since they can be so short lived.

Good advice from a reliable grower is always the best.

[kaymarie]

Jerry, what a beautiful colour the Wine Delight is. All very interesting. I have babies and not really sure what to do with them.