catasetum purum

[catasetum-ian]

glad to have this one to my collection, flower is 3cm tall and 2cm in width. so far got 15 little helmets in this spike but was told that it could be more.
the color of the color is self explanatory by its name "purum", derived from the Latin word give means "one color". so basically this is a one color catasetum

[paphioboy]

Interesting species. Are those the female flowers? I'm guessing from the saccate lip and upside-down orientation of the flowers, but the spike is pendent instead of erect, which is more common for female flowers..

[gavstang]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. I would like to buy a catasetum but have no experience growing one, from what I have heard they may require a level of attention I may be unable to give.

[paphioboy]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. I would like to buy a catasetum but have no experience growing one, from what I have heard they may require a level of attention I may be unable to give.

They are actually easy since they go dormant 2-3 months of the year. Just keep them dry during the rest period. When growing, you can water and fertilise like there's no tomorrow to get big plump bulbs.

[gavstang]

They are actually easy since they go dormant 2-3 months of the year. Just keep them dry during the rest period. When growing, you can water and fertilise like there's no tomorrow to get big plump bulbs.

Now when is their dormant period? Is this when the last flower has died and I remove the bulb which carried the last flower stalk to allow it to rest?

[paphioboy]

Now when is their dormant period? Is this when the last flower has died and I remove the bulb which carried the last flower stalk to allow it to rest?

After flowering, usually they will lose their leaves. This is their dormant period. I don't quite understand what you are saying about removing the bulb, unless you wish to separate it into single bulbs. I have tried that before, but it was a 50/50 chance in my conditions. Some of the bulbs rotted after being separated. Anyway, rest them until the new growth emerges, then increase water and fert.

[gavstang]

After flowering, usually they will lose their leaves. This is their dormant period. I don't quite understand what you are saying about removing the bulb, unless you wish to separate it into single bulbs. I have tried that before, but it was a 50/50 chance in my conditions. Some of the bulbs rotted after being separated. Anyway, rest them until the new growth emerges, then increase water and fert.

I was informed by some senior growers here that I am supposed to separate the newest bulb when blooming has finished and leave it aside without watering or fertilising and then replant when its in growth again. Maybe they are also talking abt plant division. But thanks for the advice..I will hazard a plant soon and keep you guys updated on my efforts!

[catasetum-ian]

I was informed by some senior growers here that I am supposed to separate the newest bulb when blooming has finished and leave it aside without watering or fertilising and then replant when its in growth again. Maybe they are also talking abt plant division. But thanks for the advice..I will hazard a plant soon and keep you guys updated on my efforts!

mind if i chime in a while? ok, before you start "hazarding" a plant......
to cut the story short for when to water, "follow the leaves". even when the bulb is fully mature, all the leaves is there, you can still water once the media is dried. BUT if all the leaves had dropped (going into dormancy), minimal watering with them. as a general rule, just water once you notice some slight shrivelling on the PBs)
whether or not to separate a bulb after blooming, very much depends on you, but follow the leaves. generally if u prolonged repotting interval(provided you had the correct media and fertilizing program), you will ended with bigger bulbs eventually which mean more bloom per spike or even double spike or double growth subsequently.

[cdayinflorida]

Very nice, Ian

[zainal abidin]

Hi Ian I also got this species very huge bulb so nice the flower, thanks for the ID