gardenjewels, That could be interesting. Do you have any photos of the flower? How big is the back bulb? And what kind of plants are you interested in? thanks- Carolyn

I agree Howard, that Ctsm saccatum is not just some unknown species in Holst's book and that, as you say, it's "habits are well known." Well, apparently they are well known ... to other people who grow them and know them well. Holst clearly states that saccatum most often doesn't go completely dormant to begin with and will start to bloom "mostly in the summer... but can bloom at various times of the year." Now mind you, the operative word is "bloom," not spike, and summer is certainly not "just before its dormancy" as you stated. Plants kept indoors in warm houses can do even stranger things. When it comes to Catasetums, you really have to read the plant and take your cues from it. As Carolyn said, after a while you get a feel for them. So while I enjoy many of your well-researched posts here on various subjects, you apparently don't have much hands-on experience with Catasetums and have not read the book either. I make a point of not posting advice unless I am absolutely sure it is correct and applicable and preferably based on first-hand experience. If I am not really sure, I say that. If I don't know, I don't post. I don't want to kill someone's plant with advice under a false veneer of expertise I didn't have. You have never seen a post from me on, for example, Masdevallias because I have never grown them, couldn't if I tried, and therefore have not researched them enough to know them well. All I really know about Masdies is that they like it humid and cool, even allowing for the fact I have first-hand experience with the type of habitat they live in in the wild and can describe that. I steer away from stuff I don't really know well personally and will only submit my "guesses" if no one else has any solid advice either.

Hi Sheila, Other folks closer to you will know about the medium. I grow my Ctsae & Cycs in sphag & plastic, stabilized by clay pots. Mine have been outside during the Mpls summers that had days of 100+ temps - E/SE light cut by 50%. They've loved it. Also, they can take Catt light. Mine are almost soppy wet the whole season - drying slightly between waterings, till Nov. 15, when water's cut to 50% and tapered off till Jan. 1. Around Nov. 15, some people move their plants to bare root, so they can see the new roots in the spring. These directions are from Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids. During the growing season, some fertilize more heavily, but I'm not clear what that means. For the sphag, I water w/ plain water one time, fertilizer water next, then leach & repeat. The rule of thumb is 3 back bulbs for every new growth. After Jan. 1, no water whatsoever till roots on new growths are 3"-5" long. Well, you read that recent thread of mine, so this may not be set in concrete. Exception: If a pb that's been plump starts shriveling, mist lightly till it gets plump again. Some throw their bare root plants in a closet or some such. These orchids don't need light during winter, but I keep mine out so I don't forget to check for pbs that might be getting too dry. Others may have different methods for culture, esp. for warmer climates. These plants are pretty tolerant. Not finding any pix of your exact cross or anything close. Maybe you'll be the trailblazer. Post pix when you can. Hope this helps. Whitecat8 Here is a link that might be useful: Fred Clarke's culture for Catasetinae

Mark, I don't have Donna Wise, but this is what I do have, if any of it interests you for this, or any other project. Cyc cooperi (very coppery) ctsm saccatum cyc barthiorum (quite straw colored last year, or very pinky this year, have both, take your pick) JEMS Spotted Wars (Clowesia warscewiczii x Ctsm denticulatum) Morm tuxtlensis (could be sinuata cross, but I don't think so) Ctsm orchidglade x sanguina (most likely, officially a noid) Noid/Ctsm thinger dinger x pileatum (possibly, you helped ID this one) CTsm Olga (actually you sent me this last year for my Morm tuxt) Ctsm tenebrosum (very dark burgundy color) Flower pics available for all. Carolyn