Catasetum tigrinum is found in Brazil, states of Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia, and as far south as Mato Grosso; in other parts of northern South America as well. It grows in fairly shady situations in regions with 4 months of dry conditions in winter, much rain the rest of the year, and high humidity year-round.
Catasetum tigrinum also called as The Tiger Striped Catasetum, is a species of the genus Catasetum. This species was described by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in 1881.
IDENTIFY CATASETUM TIGRINUM ORCHID PLANT
Catasetum tigrinum is found in Brazil, states of Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia, and as far south as Mato Grosso; in other parts of northern South America as well. It grows in fairly shady situations in regions with 4 months of dry conditions in winter, much rain the rest of the year, and high humidity year-round.
It is a medium sized, hot growing epiphytic species with fusiform, to 12 cm long and 3 cm wide pseudobulbs carrying linear-lanceolate to oblanceolate, plicate, to 25 cm long and 5 cm wide leaves.
The Tiger Striped Catasetum blooms in the late spring and often again in the summer on a basal, arching then pendant, 20 cm long, racemose, 12 flowered inflorescence carrying the flowers clustered towards the terminal end. The male flowers are about 45 x 30 mm with coloration of sepals and petals white with transverse red spots; spots on the petals more conspicuous than on the sepals; lip white with little or no spotting; column yellowish with reddish spotting on the back. The female flowers are not seen.
The key to identify this species is the floral segments wide and overlapping. Predominantly white color unusual in catasetums.
CATASETUM TIGRINUM 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 tigrinum are sun-loving plant and needs a light level of 30000-60000 lux. Unless the strong air movement found in the natural habitat can be duplicated, however, the grower should provide some shade (40-60 % shade). 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. 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:
The Tiger Striped 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 tigrinum can be grown in small pots filled with sphagnum moss or coarse bark mix. 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:
The plant may be watered every sunny day during the growing season, provided conditions are such that they dry off relatively quickly. In the case of conventionally potted adult plants, it 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 tigrinum requires evenly warm temperatures. When the plants are leafless and no new growths are visible, the grower must respect their state of dormancy. Watering frequency should be reduced during dormancy. Fertilization should stop completely during this period. In the springtime, at the beginning of the growth cycle, water should not be made regularly available for the newly developing roots until the new growth is at least 5 cm tall.
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