Orchid catasetum: description and care

Catasetums are an unusual type of orchid that combines flowers of different shapes, colors and sizes on one plant. These are beautiful and vibrant buds that are grown at home. The catasetum species is distinguished by its unpretentiousness to care, but still there are rules that are important to follow in order to grow a unique flower.

The plant belongs to the genus of epiphytic orchids, which includes 150 varieties. The catasetum is characterized by sympodial growth. It has a shortened rhizome, which is closely pressed to the surface of the soil, therefore new pseudobulbs develop very compactly, close to the old ones. The height of the pseudobulbs of large species reaches 20 cm, the diameter is 7 cm, outwardly they have an elongated oval shape, a wrinkled green structure. At the age of up to a year, pseudobulbs are covered with leaves, adult specimens are naked.

This species is characterized by sexual dimorphism of flowers. Male specimens can be distinguished by their large dimensions, their diameter is up to 12 cm, they have rich shades and intricate shapes. Female specimens are characterized by slightly smaller parameters - usually there are significantly fewer of them on the peduncle than male ones, and their appearance is not so picturesque. Male flowers can be florid, inverted, bend and curl, their column is elongated, several stamens are enclosed in it. Women have a classic shape, their column is shortened and more massive.

Most of the species can be grown in a home orchidarium or in a greenhouse. To see the incredible beauty of a flowering plant, you need to follow all the rules for caring for this delicate flower.

The plant loves warmth. In addition, he needs to ensure the difference in daily temperatures. Recommended indicators during the day are 29–32 degrees, at night the temperature should be reduced to the limits of 21–24 degrees. In summer, it is allowed to take the plant outside, for example, on a terrace or in a garden. The natural difference in daily temperatures will have a beneficial effect on the development of culture.

This flower prefers bright but diffused light. To comply with this condition, it is recommended to grow the plant under artificial lighting, for example, under a phytolamp. The optimal daylight hours for this culture is 10 hours. If the pot is placed outside in the warm season, then young pseudobulbs and opened flowers should be protected from direct exposure to ultraviolet rays, which can provoke burns. An overly shaded area will also not work.

A substrate for growing a flower can be prepared from large pine bark, sphagnum and charcoal. A massive piece of bark is suitable for a block. The roots and rhizome are firmly set on the surface, wrapped in a dense layer of moss in advance.

The bark should dry thoroughly between watering procedures. It is preferable to water the plant by lowering a block or pot into a container of water. As soon as the bark and roots have fully absorbed moisture, the specimen can be pulled out of the water. When the excess liquid drains, the flower can be returned to its original place.It is useful to organize a "hot shower" or completely immerse the plant in water heated to 35 degrees. This method further stimulates healthy flowering.

The orchid loves humidity in the range of 70-80%. To achieve suitable performance, you can use household humidifiers, steam generators, home decorative fountains. Even a nearby container of water can create a more humid atmosphere. When growing a flower in a greenhouse, you should be aware that stagnant damp air can also become a source of the formation of fungal ailments, therefore it is necessary to periodically ventilate the room.

From mid-November, the flower is dormant - this is the name of the period after flowering. Under natural conditions, this species is experiencing drought and coolness at this time, so it is worth organizing similar conditions in the room for it. The recommended temperature during the dormant period is 18–20 degrees above zero, watering should be stopped, let the lighting remain the same. If the plant feels a lack of moisture, then it shrinks its pseudobulbs, then it is recommended to periodically spray the substrate a little.

You need to feed the plant every week. Specialized store complexes are suitable, the amount of feeding is calculated in accordance with the instructions on the package. Usually, the mixture is combined with water, and then the flower is sprayed or watered with the resulting composition. When the dormant period comes, the crop is not fertilized.

The plant needs to be replanted every year. During the dormant period, the specimen loses several roots, which, when they enter the substrate, contaminate it and provoke the formation of fungi and bacteria. Transplanting is carried out at the beginning of the growing season, when new roots develop in immature pseudobulbs.

The most common ailment for orchids is putrefactive diseases. They arise when the soil is waterlogged. The method of combating the disease will be the correct preventive measures: do not flood the plant. Of the pests, the main enemies are spider mites and flat beetles. The tick can be distinguished by its flat reddish-brown body with a pattern, and its larvae are bright red in color.

In order to start fighting methods in time, you need to make sure that there is an insect. When a flower is damaged by a spider mite, a silver cobweb forms on the plant. You can use acaricides for apartment conditions, they contain less toxic substances. These include, for example, "Fitoverm", "Aktofetom", "Vermitex". The popular method of protection is to attach an ordinary flea collar for animals to the pseudobulb, cut into several parts.

This variety can be propagated by dividing the rhizome. To do this, you need a disinfected tool. Reproduction time is until new growth and new roots appear. The plant reproduces easily in the presence of two pseudobulbs, and therefore specimens, in which there are 4–5 of them, require indispensable separation. Without this procedure, the flower will absorb all the reserves of the old pseudobulb, after which it will die. If the parts are separated, then new buds awaken in them, and the roots compensate for the reserves of useful elements.

For information on how to care for the catasetum orchid, see the next video.