Common Name The Expansive Catasetum

Flower Size 3" [7.5 cm]

A large sized, showy, hot to cool growing epiphytic Catasetum from northeastern Ecuador in dry forest at elevations of 20 to 1500 meters with spindle shaped pseudubulbs carrying several deciduous, plicate, lanceolate leaves that can bloom from May until December on a basal, 12" [30 cm] long, several [6] flowered arching raceme arising on a newly forming pseudobulb carying either male or female flowers.

The flowers can be found in many colors including yellow, green, white and sometimes with maroon spots.

Synonyms Catasetum expansum var sodiroi [Schlechter] Mansf.; Catachaetum recurvatum Link 1844; Catasetum cliftonii R.H. Torr. 1911; Catasetum platyglossum Schltr. 1916; Catasetum recurvatum Link 1844; Catasetum sodiroi Schltr. 1921

Sourec:  http://www.orchidspecies.com/catasetumexpansum.htm

Photos by © Danny Lentz plant grown by the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Here we are on different path, in fact a new path. This is the first intergeneric hybrid using complex hybrids of Cycnoches and Mormodes. Richard Brandon (warscewiczii x Jean E. Monnier) produces robust-growing, easy-to-bloom plants. The cultivar ‘Xtra Wide Petals’ has the highest-quality well-shaped flowers seen from any Richard Brandon, and it is becoming an important parent in our breeding program. This Exotic Treat (sinuata x tuxtlensis) has amazing color, with bright orange-yellow flowers and bold burgundy spotting. As a bonus, mature plants can produce 3-4 flower stems at a time. We know from experience that this type of breeding combines the best qualities from both parents: the Cycnoches is dominant for shape, and the Mormodes is dominant for color. I am very anxious to see these bloom! The expectation is for well-shaped yellow to bronze flowers with bold burgundy spotting. ( Description and photos courtesy of Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids) grow

Melana Davison (denticulatum x Penang) 'Hoorah' is particularly beautiful due to the yellow base color of the lip and red markings throughout. This Isobel's Sunshine (Portagee Star x kleberianum) has a bright yellow lip with dark bars of burgundy on the petals and sepals. Here we are aiming for large flat yellow lips with red to burgundy petals and sepals, all on a mini-Catasetum plant.  We liked the combination so much we made the cross twice! See SVO 8096. 

Melana Davison (denticulatum x Penang) ‘Hoorah’ is particularly beautiful due to the yellow base color of the lip and red markings throughout. This Isobel's Sunshine (Portagee Star x kleberianum) has a bright yellow lip with dark bars of burgundy on the petals and sepals. Here we are aiming for large flat yellow lips with red to burgundy petals and sepals, all on a mini-Catasetum plant.  We liked the combination so much we made the cross twice! See SVO 8091. Very nice first bloom plant  Picture

(Description and photos courtesy of Fred Clarke, Sunset Valley Orchids)

Photo right:  Catasetum Melana Davison 'Hoorah'

Photo Left:  Catasetum Isobel's Sunshine 'SVO'