Catasetum
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Catasetum: description of the orchid
Catasetum: photo of an orchid
Epiphytes are representatives of the orchid genus Catasetum, or Catasetum. The genus includes approximately one hundred and fifty herbaceous species. In its natural environment, it is possible to meet in Central and South America. Usually, these herbaceous can be found in Brazil.
Catasetum differs in the sympodial nature of growth. It has a short creeping shoot, but it is compacted to the soil, which is why young pseudobulbs grow almost closely to adults. Clustered elongated oval pseudobulbs look like wrinkled greenish cigars that have sharp tips. In varieties with a rather large size, ripe pseudobulbs grow upward by twenty centimeters, and reach seven centimeters in width. Young pseudobulbs that have not reached the age of one year are considered leafy, and the old ones are completely naked. There is a large number of vaginal foliage, usually three to seven specimens. The part located at the bottom of the leaf, with a film that serves as protection. So, after the death of the leaf and drying out, this matter remains on the upper part of the pseudobulbs, and it does not allow the stored water to evaporate rather rapidly. Thin, leathery leaves have a sharp oval appearance with a distinctly elongated venation. They grow in length from twenty to thirty centimeters.
The catasetum orchid differs among others in that it has a noticeable sexual dimorphism of flowers. The flowers, which are male, have a large size (width from ten to twelve centimeters), they are not simple and have a bright color, there are much more of them on the peduncle. The female flowers are not so large and they have a fairly common presentation. Most varieties have resupinated male flowers (grow upside down), and a large lip, curled up into a funnel or bent into a bowl, hangs over the flower. Fleshy petals and sepals have the shape of a regular oval or lancet. The long column has a pair of stamens. All female flowers are "faithful", their lip has the shape of a helmet, but the column is quite average and refined, like those of male flowers.
Catasetum orchid: home care
Required temperature indicator
Catasetum requires a warm temperature indicator, while the plant must be endowed with a change in temperature during the day. So, this plant will grow well and develop at a temperature index of twenty-nine to thirty-two degrees during the day, and twenty-one to twenty-four degrees at night.
If desired, the catasetum orchid can be moved to fresh air. The plant can be outdoors from the second week of the last spring month to the second week of the first autumn month. A loggia or windowsill is perfect for this. With this option, the required change in the temperature index will be normal.
Required amount of light
The catasetum orchid needs saturated light for twelve months, but at the same time it must be diffused. Summer residents with experience are advised to place this plant under artificial lighting, installing, for example, phytolamps. Daylight hours should last at least ten hours.
Catasetums with leafy pseudobulbs, and also with opened buds, when stored in the fresh air, must be placed in areas sheltered from direct sunlight. Because on flowers, as well as on young leaves, burns can form. But it is worth taking into account that it is not advised to install this plant in an overly shady area.
Earth mix
Various containers are used for the cultivation of the catasetum. To fill the pot, soil is used, which includes pieces of pine bark, a little sphagnum and charcoal.
In the form of block containers, a large piece of pine bark is usually used. On its upper part, the root system is firmly installed, while it is placed in advance with a middle layer of moss.
How to moisturize?
Catasetum: photo of an orchid
Do not forget that between humidification the bark requires mandatory drying. It is advised to moisten this flower not by the usual methods, but by placing a block container or pot in a bath filled with liquid. It is worth waiting until the bark and root system are filled with water, and then remove the flower from the liquid. When the excess water is gone, this plant should be placed on a permanent and not new location.
To stimulate the flowering process of the catasetum orchid, gardeners with experience recommend sprinkling with boiling water for herbaceous in the process of moistening, or placing the flower entirely in liquid, which should be heated to thirty-five degrees in advance.
Required moisture level
Catasetum have a very bad attitude to the low temperature indicator in the air. The recommended moisture level for this flower is seventy to eighty percent. To increase the moisture level to the desired level, it is necessary to use a home moisturizer or humidifier. If this plant is cultivated in a special flower garden, then do not forget about the stagnant damp air, which can be the cause of the formation of fungal spores. Because of this, for preventive purposes, it is advised to use regular ventilation of the room.
Resting state
The dormant state of the catasetum begins from the second week of the last autumn month. Due to the fact that this season in the territories that are the birthplace of the plant, a cold and dry time begins. The temperature index of the air in this season should be from eighteen to twenty degrees, while humidification must be completed entirely, but the light should not be changed. If the pseudobulbs curl strongly, then to maintain a healthy appearance, it is worth regularly sprinkling the soil, but a little at a time. They begin to moisturize entirely after young pseudobulbs are formed, as well as the first root system.
If you do not expose the catasetum orchid to a dormant state, the herbaceous will produce the usual flowering process, and after some time period the flowering process will not be observed.
Specificity of changing the place of growth
The change of the place of growth of the catasetum is carried out once every twelve months. Because during the dormant state of a given plant, a couple of roots die, which spoil the soil and contribute to the formation of fungal spores. It is necessary to change the place of growth at the beginning of the growing season, when the young pseudobulbs abundantly grow a new root system.
Top dressing
Fertilize catasetums once every seven days. To do this, use a special feeding in a complex for plants, the portion must be counted on the label. Top dressing, usually dissolved in watering fluid from a spray bottle.
During the resting state, the flower is not fed.
Catasetum: breeding at home
Orchid catasetum: photo
When cultivated at home, the Catasetum orchid can be diluted by dividing it into parts that should be overgrown. Do not forget that all divided parts must have at least three ripe pseudobulbs.
On a large scale, the catasetum is bred using the seed method.
Various parasites and diseases
A spider mite often appears on young leaves of the catasetum. When this parasite is found, the catasetum orchid should be provided with a warm (approximately forty-five degrees) shower, but the leaves must be well cleaned. If there is a desire, then the procedure must be performed again.
With this option, if the catasetum orchid is not endowed with the necessary conditions, it will be able to complete the flowering process, the growth of young pseudobulbs, and sometimes it dies.
