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Catatsetum

Catatsetum

  • Common Name: Catatsetum
  • Scientific Name: Catasetum spp.
  • Family Name: Orchidaceae
  • Origin: Central and South America
  • Height: Variable, usually up to 3 ft
  • Width: Variable
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Zone: USDA Zones 9 through 11
  • Light needs: Bright, indirect light
  • Salt tolerance: Low
  • Soil/pH/Texture: As epiphytic plants, they prefer to grow on tree branches and trunks rather than in the ground. If planted in a container, use a bark-based orchid medium to ensure adequate drainage.
  • Moisture: Ample water is needed when leaves are still growing. Humidity should be between 40 and 60 percent.
  • Drought tolerance: Low
  • Pests/Diseases: Mites and fungal infections. Fungal infections and rot are usually caused by overly wet conditions.
  • Growing conditions: Special attention must be paid to this plant’s growth cycle when cultivating it. As new leaves are growing, water it regularly and heavily, reducing the amount of water after blooming as the leaves start to turn yellow and drop. Then water only occasionally until growth starts again. Allow the roots to dry completely between waterings. Air humidity should be high, but there should be air flow around the plant to prevent rot. Fertilizer should be applied during the growing season to encourage strong pseudobulb formation and blooming.
  • Characteristics: Catasetum orchids prefer to grow on tree branches, where many thick, tubular roots support the rest of the plant. Plants of this genus have thick, clustered, cigar shaped pseudobulbs from which leaves and inflorescences emerge. Leaves are broad, glossy, and somewhat thin compared to other orchids. Flowers vary between species but tend to emerge in clusters on a long stem. These flowers differ from other types of orchids in that male and female flowers are produced on different plants and are different in both size and color. Additionally, many male flowers launch their pollen into the air when touched by an insect, an unusual strategy. Flowers of this genus tend to be green, yellow, white, or purple in color, or a mix of those colors.
  • Propagation: Division of pseudobulbs.
  • Wildlife: In the wild, these orchids are pollinated by large, specialized bees.
  • Facts: In the wild, these plants often have a symbiotic relationship with ant colonies: the orchid provides the ants with shelter, and the ants will protect the plant from herbivores and provide nitrogen from waste.
  • Designer considerations: It is an excellent container plant, especially for indoor areas as long as its needs are met. In warmer climates, this plant can be placed outside on trees to add tropical interest.