Catasetum macrocarpum

Also known as: Monkshead or Paphiopedilum cothurnum Catasetum tridentatum h.f. myanthus Catasetum tridentatum h.f. monacanthus Catasetum claveringi Catasetum claveringii Catasetum floribundum Catasetum tridentatum Catasetum tridentatum var. viridiflorum Catasetum tridentatum var. mechelynckii Cypripedium cothurnum Catasetum macrocarpum var. bellum Catasetum macrocarpum var. carnosissimum Catasetum macrocarpum var. chrysanthum Monachanthus viridis Monkey Goblet in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Amazonas - Brazil Bahia - Brazil French Guiana Guyana

General Information

Monkshead is a large sympodial warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil, French Guiana and Guyana.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 91cm. Each new growth has numerous lance shaped oblong shaped leaves that grow to 4-91cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 12-46cm

Flowers

Numerous short lasting, fragrant blossoms appear during Autumn

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Autumn

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Treefern
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

Care Notes

This orchid goes into a dormancy phase during winter, during this phase it is best not to provide water unless the plant is starting to look thirsty. The lack of water increases the chance of flowering in spring, and also reduces the likelihood of any rot forming. Do not resume watering until new growth has appeared and is growing strongly.

Often a period of intense growth occurs after dormancy. During this time the amount of light, water and fertiliser the plant receives will directly impact the amount of growth that occurs during this time, and in the case of seedlings, will reduce the time required to reach maturity.

It's recommended to heavily reduce the water amount at the middle to end of autumn to trigger dormancy. Leaves on older bulbs will begin to drop during this time while the newer bulbs continue to mature until terminal leaves appear at the tip of the pseudobulbs.

Repotting can be done any time of the year though it's best to do it in early spring when new growth is appearing as this also means new roots will appear to help the plant anchor into the new media and offset any damage to established roots during the repotting process.

 

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 10mm to 109mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 73% to 83%, highest in November and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 13C to 27C, highest in April (17C to 27C) and lowest in January (13C to 24C).

Fertiliser

These plants thrive on fertiliser, especially during periods of growth. Liquid fertiliser can be applied at the recommended strength, augmented with manure pellets or other quickly degradable fertiliser, applied away from the base of the plant, during periods of strong growth that occurs in the middle of the growth season.

Do not fertilise during the dormant period. Avoid using slow release fertiliser that breaks down for longer than 3 months, if using apply only after dormancy when new shoots have developed noticably, applied 4-5 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, and by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears. 

Use balanced fertiliser during Summer. This plant is a heavy feeder during Summer, full strength fertiliser can be used. Fertiliser can be applied heavily year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.