spike from a bare bulb

just to share this, not uncommon for catasetums but occasionally they can do this. after division, this particular bulb decided to grow a spike rather than a new growth. this phenomena would actually drain much energy from this bulb. although i had seen the flower of this hybrid before and also this is the very last bulb i had of this variety in my collection, the curiosity in me decided to take the risk just to experience this myself.

appearance of the spike several weeks later, by now at the base of the spike there is some roots emerging with the solo purpose to feed the spike

sometimes, basal root will appear from the bottom of the spike to support the nutritional need of the spike

manage to bloom, but without good rooting system, only two in a spike

inducing a male spike

it is well known that catasetum male flowers are form under lower lighting conditions while the female are formed under brighter growing conditions. for decades growers had been moving plants to heavier shades area to induce male flower, either for id purpose or to enjoy male blooms for the female are considered "ugly" to most orchid growers. 

however moving a plant to heavier shade sometimes carries some risk if they were to be moved to a too heavily shade area and later was forgotten to be moved back out under the sun. it is suggested in literature that some used aluminium foil and mold it into a shape of a cap to block the light to a developing spike. i modified the method, using a polystyrene cube and then bore a hole in the center. the polystyrene cube is about three inches in length and nearly about 2cm in diameter. the advantage of this method compared to the aluminium foil is it is almost weightless and does not carries the risk of damaging the spike due to heat conduction. 
this method provide shade to the developing spike without diminishing the plant of its light. i had tried this a couple of times and basically it works all the time. but bear in mind that it is easier to induce a male than a female and it you are experience enough to spot a developing female spike before the buds appear (usually the spike is with a more erected position for non erected spike species and the diameter is larger), you will induce hermaphrodites most of the times!

the polystyrene cap was apply to the spike the moment it can hold the "poly-cap". i sometimes used a smaller cap, about half the size to had a earlier cap to the spike and later change to the custom size cap. 

the poly-cap is three inches in length and about 2cm across

slide the cap gently down and avoid damaging the tip of the spike.

appearance of the spike after about two weeks of capping, basically this is a male spike forming, judging by the semi arching appearance and smaller diameter of the flower spike. will keep in mind to update this post once they flowered.

have fun try this !!!

Catasetum planiceps

catasetum planiceps, spiek is upright and most commonly mistaken for a female spike of other catasetums to one that is not familiar with catasetums. another catasetum that is commonly mistaken for a planiceps is its natural hybrid, Catasetum xwendlingeri (pileatumxplaniceps)

flowers are non resupinated, the petals and sepals are held tightly against the opening of the hood. slight fragrance, and the flowers turn from green to slightly yellow as it ages. spike emerges from the base of the bulb and produces spike at the stage where the growth is still relatively immature.

the anternna residing in under the hood of this catasetum, indicating a male flower. this is a large catasetum with a very long erected spike. mine is 52.1cm and i believe mine is only a teenager planiceps.


pic showing the appearance of the erected spike emerging from a relative immature new growth

the two pics below show partially the trigger pollina of this male flower

the sepals and petals are tightly clasped against the opening of the hood. the pair of isoceras antennae is visible in this view as well. the antennae run upwards and curve slightly and in the same time started to diverge from each other as they are running upwards of the inner dome.

lateral view of the flower, showing the dome shape appearance of the hood with the characteristic recurvated tip of the labellum

last two additional pic showing the planiceps with natural background

15/7/2014
IT HAS BEEN THREE MONTHS since the last spike, and yes,,,this PB haven't fully mature and had recently come out with two additional spikes. it had already been about 5 months since sprouting of this growth till this current blooming, and by next month it would be 6 months. 6 months for bulb maurity?!..including of dormancy period, this planiceps only yields only 2 to 3 bulbs per year on average basis. seems like the bigger they get, the longer the cycles