Mormodes

Representatives of the genus closely resemble their relatives -Catasetum orchids. They have spindle -shaped pseudobulbs bearing 3-7 lanceolate, lengthwise wrinkled leaves. After the pseudobulbs reach maturity ,the leaves fall off. The flower spike appears during the period when new shoots are forming at the base of the pseudobulbs,and there are uasually 5-10 flowers on it . The dioecian flowers of this genus (a feature that distinguishes Mormodes from Catasetum orchids)are characterized by the morphology of their lip:it is folded and markedly arched . Orchids of this genus are very pretty and developmentally interesting plants and hightly valuable collection items . As far as their cultivation is concerned,they are rather demanding and should be grown much like Catasetum orchids. Mount them on large wooden supports and provide them with ample watering ,fertilization and indirect sunlight during the growth period. After the leaves begin to turn yellow and dry up ,reduce temperature and cease watering completely . A total of about 25 species of this genus bloom mostly in early spring and are known to grow dispersedly throughout Central and South America.