Catasetum spitzii

Also known as: Spitz's Catasetum or Catasetum spitzii h.f. cerradão-vermelho Catasetum spitzii h.f. flavum Catasetum spitzii var. album Catasetum spitzii var. sanguineum Catasetum spitzii var. roseum Catasetum spitzii f. album in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Brazil

General Information

Spitz's Catasetum is a warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Brazil.

Plant Description

Each new growth has numerous lance shaped leaves that grow to 8-38cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 5.5-12cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear during Autumn

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Autumn

Substrate(s)

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

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 10mm to 295mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 48% to 84%, highest in June and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 16C to 31C, highest in March (20C to 31C) and lowest in January (16C to 27C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a constant supply of moisture, with a slight drying out between waterings. Saucers can be placed under pots to retain moisture during hot weather, however the saucers should be removed or let to dry every 1-2 weeks to prevent rot. Keep an eye on the plant especially in hot weather and look for cues of under/overwatering and adjust accordingly.

During Summer, be sure to keep media moist. Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

Fertiliser

These plants thrive on fertiliser, especially during periods of growth. Liquid fertiliser can be applied year round 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. Slow release pellets can also be applied year round at the rate of 2-3 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 year round. This plant is a heavy feeder year round, 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 Repotting is best done annually.