catasetum cristatum

compare to when it first initially came, this time it put out a more vigorous spike compare to before. the plant came with a poor rooting system initially, still putting up a spike but generally the plant is weak. this is especially true by the slightly wrinkled appearance of the lead bulb even though the media is moist, meaning the roots are not working at full function.
immediately after the spike blooms, i did not even wait for the bloom to whither, i snipped the spike and all the roots off. in less than two months, new growth appears and subsequently giving rise to this current spike with 11 flowers. this is still consider a baby plant, for they can grow up to really amazing specimens carrying more than 50 blooms per plant.
the presence of the barbed like structure on the lips gives the plant the name ctsm cristatum but in reality, there is a lot of other catasetum species that have similar barb like structure and some are even classified together in the catasetum barbatum complex. the barbatum complex and their look alike relatives is the one i had the most difficulty to differentiate. namely the ctsm gladiatorium, ctsm lanciferum, ctsm barbatum and the list goes on. they look ALIKE to me, but in the eyes of an expert they have their differences. perhaps in time i will learn about it but i am sure now is not the time.

pic taken on 24/11/2017. so far this plant is still producing spike with 12 flower counts per spike every round. still struggling to get the plant to a higher vigor state 

catasetum integerrimum

after separating the mother for the first time, this is the first time this division blooms, in fact it is from the first growth.
so far this is one of my most favorite hooded catasetums. just love the shape of this flower, it appears to me that they are gracefully bowing down.
these are male flowers, evident by the presence of trigger pollina (often mistaken by a newbie for female because of the hooded appearance). these plants are huge, but this is my first division, the backbulb is almost three inches in diameter. i am hoping them to get bigger during subsequent growths.

the last pic here shows the detail of the borders of the hood, smooth and round which differentiates it from catasetum maculatum, which is slightly rectangular and had a serrated edge. here also the trigger pollina is clearly visible with the antenna extending deep under the hood

speaking of it, somehow i still had not earn a female integerrimum bloom yet.

the last pic here, taken three days after bloom, showing the trigger pollina and also lateral view of the bloom

26th June 2012
just thought of adding in some pics of today's bloom

the last pic below, new bloom on year January 31st 2013

catasetum cirrhaeoides

this is another one of those mini catasetum series and cited as part of the catasetum pulchrum complex.

this particular plant is currently about three inches tall, the flower are sweet smelling and at times smells like faint manuka honey smell to me. the flower is about three inches in width and an inch tall (similar to the denticulatum that i had). just got this plant not too long ago, and hope that it will grow into into larger specimen in the future for i had seen some pics of this plant that bears more than thrity flowers in a spike!

the first pic here is the plant condition when it first arrive in my garden and the rest are during the blooming period.

this plant actually belongs to the batch of catasetum with the worst bulb rot problem when it came. here is a the link to what happen to the batch of catasetums http://catasetum-ian.blogspot.com/2011/12/at-times-small-sacrifice-is-necessary.html

this is the first to flower from that batch and i do hope all will follow the similar path, however it is a long shot as a few is still struggling to overcome the bulb rot problem.

catasetum callosum

this is the second post on catasetum callosum. for the first post about catasetum callosum, here is the link http://catasetum-ian.blogspot.com/2010/12/catasetum-callosum.html

just thought of adding in some additional info. the flower is dark brown about 2inches across and about 2inches tall, fragrant and easy flowering plant. it had a pair of isoceras pollinae and also the roughed appearance of the labellum. that is where it get its name from.

basically i think this is one of those catasetum collection that did not fail to flower on every pseudobulb so far. though it is common for catasetums to flower during the active growing phase or dormant phase, this is the first time for a catasetum to flower during the dormant phase for me.

in addition, i just got my self a division of catasetum callosum x catasetum penang (Catasetum broga black leopard), it a rather puny division i got, anyway it was what that is available at that time. the bulb it started with is merely an inch plus tall. can't wait to see the bloom of this cross myself.

seems like the some insect just busted the flower this morning...well, why not just pull the flower apart for some study purpose. in fact this has given me the idea, perhaps will take a pic of all the parts of the flower for subsequent different blooms

Catasetum penang red x Catasetum jumbo pearl 'serdang oo oo' (Catasetum redland black cherry)

Bought this plant about two years back, wonderful deep maroon blooms. but i started my first time division soon after the first bloom because the media is basically "expired".

not long after posting the picture in the internet, several catasetum enthusiast had asked to purchase or barter trade for one of its division and before i notice it, i was left with the very last division of it and not to mention, the pseudobulb is only about 2 inches tall.

after nearly two years of reestablishing this division, it finally came to bloom after the emergence of the second pseudobulb.

flower is about 7.2 cm across and the labellum itself is 5cm across. height of the flower is 7cm tall. minty smell mix with cinnamon, sweet smelling to me. just wish to share this wonderful bloom with all the blog viewers here.

6th June 2012
second spike of the same bulb, this time with seven flowers

 the last pic below is the appearance of this spie, it has a modified pseudobulb structure, with a roots on its own and later will give out new growth of its own. i had other catasetums with similar condition, but never one with modified pseudobulb that is developed enough to throw out a new growth. if this one manage to do so again, it will be the second one for this hybrid.

catasetum roseoalbum (longifolium x discolor)

i got this plant as catasetum longifolium but when it blooms, i was slightly disappointed for longifolium had been in my wishlist all these while.

from the bloom it seems like Catasetum roseoalbum; the pink and white catasetums. catasetum roseoalbum is one of the accepted natural hybrid. it is a cross between catasetum longifolium and catasetum discolor.

the last pic here is the final appearance at its full bloom, about three days later.

i mange to find a list of natural catasetum hybrids and i would like to paste it here for future references

§ Catasetum × dunstervillei ( = C. discolor × C. pileatum)

§ Catasetum × guianense (= C. longifolium × C. macrocarpum)

§ Catasetum × intermedium (Brazil). (ctsm spitzii x ctsm taguariense aka vinaceum)

§ Catasetum × issanensis(= C. longifolium × C. pileatum) (Brazil).

§ Catasetum × pohlianum(= C. hookeri × C. trulla) (Brazil)

§ Catasetum × roseoalbum (Guianas). Ctsm longifolium x ctsm discolor

§ Catasetum × sodiroi (= C. expansum × C.macroglossum) 

§ Catasetum × tapiriceps (N. Brazil).ctsm pileatum x ctsm macrocarpum

§ Catasetum × violascens : Purple Catasetum (ctsm incurvum x ctsm discolor)

§Catasetum x perazolianum (ctsm ariquemense x ctsm denticulatum)

§ Catasetum × wendlingeri (ctsm planiceps x pileatum)

§ Catasetum xaltaflorestense (Catasetum schmidtianum x Catasetum osculatum)

§ Catasetum x macedoi (Catasetum macrocarpum x Catasetum saccatum)

this plant produces a very long spike, 28 inches and three quarter, flowers are relatively small, 1.5 inches in height and 1 inch across. a relatively small flower compare to the plant size. the bulb itself excluding the leaves are about 8 inches plus and i believe it can be bigger as this is the second bulb of the plant and it has already double it size compare to the previous bulb.

by the way, this is the plant that produces the root keiki that i mentioned in one of my previous post http://catasetum-ian.blogspot.com/2011/12/functions-of-catasetums-root-including.html

catasetum penang (another variant)

this a a cross between catasetum susan fuchs x catasetum pileatum green gold. flower is 3inches across and 2 inches in height. despite the dark red color, i must admit that i adore the shape of this flower more than its color. another spike is setting in as well. for a first growth from a bare bulb, the second spike is a bonus to me.
though i had several catasetum penang before this, this particular plant comes with a significant meaning behind it. this plant is given to me, from my very first vendor from where i got my catasetums, from someone whom he didn't pay much attention to initially when i was a green horn to catasetums to someone whom he remembered that i bought catasetums from him previously and till we can share experience about catasetums cultivation and one fine day where he gave me this plant when i visited his nursery. i asked him "how much for this one?". he replied "its for you and in return just show me the flower when it does."
well i am sure this small compot does not means much to him but to me it s recognition from a senior orchid enthusiast towards my catasetums growing ability has already comes to a certain standard.
that day not only i got a new plant into my collection but also a herculean encouragement to my catasetum indulgence.