Catasetum schunkei

another one for the mini catasetum collection, slightly similar to the denticulatum but the lateral sepals do not open as wide as the denticulatum. However the labellum is very different with the fringe of the labellum is curled and pointed up.

the pot is slightly less than two inches tall, so that would roughly illustrate how small the flower and plant is

Cycnoches warscewiczii

this is my first cycnoches species, was looking around for a chlorochilon but got this one instead, i guess half a loaf of bread is better than none.this Cycboches warscewiczii is from the section of the Eu-cycnoches, flowers are large 9cm across and in height as well, the lateral sepals are in acute angle to the lip and the ventral sepal. the arrangement of the petals are not reflexed. the other three closely related species to this, namely are the chlorochilon, ventricosum and lemahnii.
this plant was originally came in sphagnum moss, but the moss was removed prior to sending. would like to take this opportunity to thank this particular person. the old PB was slightly infected when it arrived and was removed after the new growth is old enough to nurture itself, this is to prevent the infection from spreading.

the original PB was 14 inches long but the new shoot developed a 14.5inches PB, did not expect it to grow to this length because it was cultured in 100% charcoal media and was derived from a bare bulb.

 the right lateral sepals was deformed slightly, most like from the use of the systemic fungicide. the original plant that came was with flowers, no deformity was noted on any of the flowers back then

 lateral view showing the appearance of the flower, with non reflexed flower

second spike on 16/11/2014

Clowesetum Creative Copper Gold

this is a cross between Clowesia Grace Dunn and Catasetum tenberosum, psedubolb is stout but plump, thanks to the clowesia gene but size is much bigger compare to the clowesia relative. this rooting system of this plant like the clowesia is with abundant pneumatophore, but much more vigorous in nature. for that, i do recon this plant to be planted in basket netting like this one here, or mounted to have allow the rooting system to develop naturally. coloration of the bloom is 'very tenebrosum'.

catasetum rectangulare

according to internet citation, when this species was initially discovered, it was mistaken for catasetum callosum alba.

however, the labellum and the lateral sepals will enable one to tell the difference between a rectangulare and a callosum alba. the lateral margin of the lobe margin are parallel before they converge into each other at the lip apex. in callousm, the lib is triangular in shape; 

the lateral sepals of rectagulare are with sickle shapre slightly while it is straight in the callosum. 

physically, the flower of rectangulare is much smaller than callosum and pedicle are much shorter as well. lateral dimension of the rectangulare is 3cm, labellum is 0.8cm wide and 1cm in length. the bracts of rectangulare is also shorter as compare to callosum.

catasetum maculatum

this is catasetum maculatum, one of the hooded catasetums. at least for me personally, slight fragrance noted, the spike is arching in nature. 

easily identified and distinguished from its two closely resemblance counterparts, namely the intergerrimum and viridiflavum. the orifice of the labellum in maculatum is serrated and rectangular, while in integerrimum is round and smooth. 

as for viridiflavum, it is easily recognized by the large globoid hood and the spike is more erected compare to the maculatum. 

i hereby included the pic of the integerrimum and viridflavum towards the end of this thread for ease ones understanding between the differences of these three species

(catasetum viridiflavum)

(catasetum integerrimum)

catasetum discolor

this is catasetum discolor, a close relative to catasetum ciliatum. they looked almost alike, and even till now some internet pages still regard them as synonym to each other. however when it was brought to my attention lately that these two belongs to two different species, i decided to buy this species when i bumped into it in the nursery, even though the bulb was infected at that time. 

i remove the infected area and was hoping for a new growth to appear but a spike developed instead. i took the risk by letting the spike to develop because the curiosity to witness the differences between the two species.

according to internet citation, both the discolor and ciliatum have 65% genetic similarity, however, physically the discolor flower is smaller compare to the ciliatum.at the inner labellum, the ciliatum has velvety stripes that is brownish to purplish in color. the spike of ciliatum is erect while for discolor it is semi erect. 

silent killer

it is always a happy and joyous moment when we receive the parcel of orchids but even buying dormant bare catasetum bulbs may carry some risk. below is a pic of the bulbs when they arrived. externally they looked healthy but i always make it a habit to inspect the bulb with scrutiny.it is like searching for an escaped fugitive and no rocks shall be left unturn. and every inch of the bulb will be examine and the bases are cut slightly to check the internal condition.

often, it is rewarding to take such tedious and meticulous effort for any residual or source of infection in the bulb that is hiding inside is not only harmful to its own survival but also poses a major threat to other orchids in the existing collection. 

and here is what i meant........

this bulb is from the upper left corner of above picture, notice the discolored brown blotch? well, if my memory serves me correctly, it is a cercospora infection. 

well, sometimes the cutting process can be quite scary to a newbie due to the amount needed to be trim off 

after all the cutting and slicing, always make it a habit to treat them with appropriate anti-infective compound. for my case, ten percent sodium hopochlorite and followed by benomyl/mancozeb or both.