Cycnoches
(pronounced: sik-NOH-keez)
Classification
Cymbidieae subtribe Catasetinae. The genus is divided into two sections, sect. Cycnoches [syn.: Eucycnoches] and sect. Heteranthae. In section Cycnoches, the pistillate (“female”) and staminate (“male”) flowers are similar. In section Heteranthae, literal
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Overview
Caespitose epiphytes with coarse, fleshy roots. Pseudobulbs spindle-shaped, succulent. Leaves several, two-ranked, thin-textured, arching, deciduous. Inflorescences axillary, short-pedunculate racemes from near the pseudobulb apex, the floral bracts inconspicuous. Flowers monoecious, fleshy, not resupinate, the pistillate (female) flowers usually simpler than the staminate (male) flowers; the pistillate flowers usually on short inflorescences and have simple unlobed lips; the staminate flowers often on long, pendent inflorescences and often have complexly lobed and ornamented lips. Sepals and petals free, spreading. Lip simple or complexly divided into multiple lobes and horns. Column with a long foot, sexually dimorphic, the pistillate flowers with short straight columns, the staminate flowers with elongate slender arching column; pollinia 2, notched, on a common elongate, linear stipe and transverse viscidium.
Etymology
From the Greek kyknos, meaning swan, and auchen, meaning neck, referring to the slender arching columns of the staminate (male) flowers.
Distribution
A genus of 25 species ranging from Mexico to Bolivia. Common name: Swan Orchid.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow plants of Cycnoches in pots of medium-grade epiphyte mixture with the addition of a moisture-retaining component. Provide bright light levels and intermediate to warm temperatures. During the growing season, after the emerging growths have attained 1 in. (2.5 cm) in length, provide copious water and fertilizer. Some growers use a top-dressing of manure at the beginning of the growing season to supply these heavy feeders. After the pseudobulbs have matured and the inflorescences have been initiated, reduce watering to a maintenance level. Overwatering during their dormancy inevitably leads to bacterial or fungal rot of the pseudobulbs. Leaf drop is natural following flowering and is a sign of appropriate watering. Many growers place the dormant plants above a door frame in a greenhouse to prevent accidental watering during their strong dormancy. Other growers unpot the plants and place the bare-root pseudobulbs in empty pots until the onset of new growth. In general, the staminate flowers are more interesting and desired in cultivation. Like species of Catasetum, sexual expression in flowers of Cycnoches is based on light intensity. After the initiation of inflorescences, but before they have attained more than 1 in. (2.5 cm) in length, placing a loosely-fitting opaque cap about 0.8 in. (2 cm) long over the apex of the inflorescence will insure the production of staminate flowers. Aluminum foil works best and its reflective nature helps to dispel any deleterious heat buildup. Because of the often dimorphic flowers and general similarity of the pistillate flowers, the key and the species descriptions refer only to staminate flowers.
Literature
Allen, P. H. 1952. The swan orchids, a revision of the genus Cycnoches. Orchid J. 1:173-184. Batchelor, S. R. 1983. Catasetum and Cycnoches, part 1. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 52(6):605-611. Batchelor, S. R. 1983. Catasetum and Cycnoches, part 2. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 52(7):713-721. Batchelor, S. R. 1983. Catasetum and Cycnoches, part 3. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 52(8):829-835. Batchelor, S. R. 1983. Catasetum and Cycnoches, part 4. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 52(9):917-914. Batchelor, S. R. 1983. Catasetum and Cycnoches, part 5. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 52(10):1051-1055. Batchelor, S. R. 1983. Catasetum and Cycnoches, part 6. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 52(11):1163-1169. Batchelor, S. R. 1983. Catasetum and Cycnoches, part 7. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 52(12):1295-1304. Carr, G. F., Jr. 1995. Cycnoches, one hundred sixty-five years of confusion. Privately published by the author. Carr, G. F., Jr. 2000. The Cycnoches ventricosum complex. Orchid Digest 64(1):29-38. Carr, G. F., Jr. and E. A. Christenson 1999. A Colombian Jewel. Orchids 68(6):598-601. Cavestro, W. 1977. The culture of Catasetum, Mormodes and Cycnoches. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 46(7):637-641. Christenson, E. A. 1999. Cycnoches carrii, a new species from Peru. Orchid Digest 63(4):173-175. Gregg, K. B. 1975. The effect of light intensity on sex expression in species of Cycnoches and Catasetum (Orchidaceae). Selbyana 1:101-113. Gregg, K. B. 1976. The interaction of light intensity, plant size and nutrition in sex expression in Cycnoches (Orchidaceae). Selbyana 2:212-223. Gregg, K. B. 1982. Sunlight-enhanced ethylene evolution by developing inflorescences of Catasetum and Cycnoches and its relation to female flower production. Bot. Gaz. 143(4):466-475. Gregg, K. B. 1983. Variation in floral fragrances and morphology: incipient speciation in Cycnoches? Bot. Gaz. 144(4):566-576. Jenny, R. 1995. Cycnoches herrenhusanum Jenny & Romero 1991. Die Orchidee 46(6): Orchideenkartei Seite 817-818. Jenny, R. 1997. Cycnoches herrenhusanum. Orchids 66(7):706-715. Jenny, R. and G. Romero 1991. Cycnoches herrenhusanum, ein neufund aus Kolumbien. Die Orchidee 42(2):68-72. Rolfe, R. A. 1909. A revision of the genus Cycnoches. Orchid Review 17:269-272.
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