Catasetum gardneri is found in Coastal Brazil, from Pernambuco State southward to Rio de Janeiro State. It grows in sandy or sandy clay soil, often just behind coastal sand dunes at low elevations.
Catasetum gardneri also called as Gardner's Catasetum, Catasetum fimbriatum, Monachanthus fimbriatus, is a species of the genus Catasetum. This species was described by Friedrich Richard Rudolf Schlechter in 1914.
IDENTIFY CATASETUM GARDNERI ORCHID PLANT
Catasetum gardneri is found in Coastal Brazil, from Pernambuco State southward to Rio de Janeiro State. It grows in sandy or sandy clay soil, often just behind coastal sand dunes at low elevations.
It is a medium sized, hot growing terrestrial with fusiform, some curved, 16 cm long and 2.5 cm wide pseudobulbs enveloped completely by leafless and leafbearing sheaths carrying up to 8, linear-oblanceolate, medium green, plicate, 3 prominent nerved, basally clasping, to 40 cm long and 9.5 cm wide leaves.
Gardner's Catasetum blooms in the late fall to early winter on a male, erect to semi-erect to 60 cm long, to 18 flowered inflorescence carrying non-resupinate, all facing in the same direction flowers. The male flowers are 32 × 25 mm with coloration of sepals, petals, and lip sac yellow-green (to green in other clones); cilia on margins of lateral lobes occasionally slightly rosy-colored, with bars of the same color inside the lip cavity; margins of lip and entire column white. The female flowers are not seen.
The key to identify this species is the flowers smaller and more yellow than those of Catasetum discolor, flower spike slightly taller and more erect, leaves broader, and plant generally more robust. This species often begins its new growth while the old leaves are still on the plant.
CATASETUM GARDNERI ORCHID PLANT CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Catasetum gardneri are sun-loving plant and needs a light level of 30000-60000 lux. The plant bloom in nearly full sunlight, but 40-60% shade increases the chance of getting male flowers. This species can be grown under lights if sufficient light intensity can be provided, and the plant certainly can be summered outdoors if their moisture requirements can be met.
Temperature:
In their natural habitat, the climate is evenly hot, moist, and tropical. This climate is almost the same year-round, with high humidity at night, even in the dry season, which is relatively short. The nighttime temperatures rarely fall below 18°C, with daytime highs generally from 29 to 35°C. The important thing is to maintain evenly warm conditions, and for this orchid the closer the night minimum is to 21°C, the better the plants will respond.
Humidity:
Gardner's Catasetum tolerate an environment with 40 - 60 % relative humidity during their growing season, but for optimal development of new growth and flowering, 70 % is recommended.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Catasetum gardneri can be grown in pot with fir bark, osmunda, tree fern fiber, charcoal, and sphagnum, in various proportions or combined with still other ingredients such as sponge rock, perlite, leaf mold, peat, and bark screenings as substrate.
It is recommended to repot every year and never wait more than two years. The optimal time for potting or repotting is when new growth on a plant emerging from dormancy is about 5 cm tall and the nubs have developed into new roots that are reaching for support.
Watering:
This species requires good aeration of its root system, for in nature the sandy soil in which it grows dries out quickly in the hot tropical sun after a rain. The adult plants should not be necessary to water more than once or, at most, twice a week. This species like to dry out at least slightly between waterings.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize with an appropriate formulation at least every week during the growing season, or fertilize with a weak formula every time the plants are watered. It is important to begin regular applications of high-nitrogen fertilizer (such as 10-5-5) with a full range of trace elements. As the leaves begin to unfurl, and well before flowering, add a high-phosphorus formula to develop big, strong pseudobulbs capable of producing robust inflorescences. Any of the soluble products with a large second-digit number (for example, 3-12-6) constitute a good source of phosphorus.
Rest period:
Catasetum gardneri have a relatively short dormant period between leaf fall and new growth, and sometimes no dormancy at all, so the likelihood that at least some of their basic root system will survive from one growing season to the next increases. For this reason it is desirable to maintain a watering schedule, albeit reduced, during dormancy.
COMMENTS