Catasetum uncatum is found in Brazil, states of Pernambuco, Alagoas (Palmeira dos Índios), Ceará, and probably contiguous states as well. It is generally not found in forest, preferring palm trees near the seashore, palms and other trees left standing in pastures, or in the more arid inland countryside.
Catasetum uncatum also called as The Curved Inward Catasetum, Hooked Catasetum, Catasetum uncatum f. xanthinum, is a species of the genus Catasetum. This species was described by Robert Allen Rolfe in 1895.
IDENTIFY CATASETUM UNCATUM ORCHID PLANT
Catasetum uncatum is found in Brazil, states of Pernambuco, Alagoas (Palmeira dos Índios), Ceará, and probably contiguous states as well. It is generally not found in forest, preferring palm trees near the seashore, palms and other trees left standing in pastures, or in the more arid inland countryside.
The Curved Inward Catasetum is a medium sized, hot growing epiphyte with fusiform to elliptical, angled, curved, conspicuously furrowed, to 13 cm long and 5.5 cm wide pseudobulbs enveloped completely by imbricate leafless to leaf bearing above sheaths and carrying up to 7, linear-lanceolate to oblanceolate, medium to dark green, plicate, 3 veined, to 24 cm long and 4 cm wide leaves.
Hooked Catasetum blooms in the summer and fall on a male, arching then pendant, 48 to 60 cm long, to 22 flowered inflorescence with the flowers held in the apical 1/3. The male flowers are 31 x 28 mm in their natural position with coloration of sepals and petals light green, with inconspicuous veining; lip dark green with some dark gold on the margins; column light yellow-green. The female flowers are not seen.
The key to identify this species is the plant is robust with curved pseudobulbs. Distinguished from Catasetum purum by a narrower lip and by antennae that protrude below the tip of the midlobe and are visible in the opening formed by the lateral lobes of the non-resupinate lip.
CATASETUM UNCATUM 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 uncatum are sun-loving plant and needs a light level of 30000-60000 lux. The plant should be grown in nearly full sunlight. 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:
Their climate is tropical to subtropical, with dry, near desert-like conditions. It has an even longer dry season and low humidity almost year-round. Most of the moisture results from nighttime dews. Temperatures range from a maximum 40°C to a minimum 15°C. In cultivation, 18°C is the ideal minimum night temperature.
Humidity:
The Curved Inward 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:
With its many pneumatophores, Catasetum uncatum is an ideal candidate for mounting or growing in a basket. If potted, care must be taken not to water excessively. 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 uncatum accustomed to a long dry period. 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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