"Susan Erickson" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 16:38:55 GMT, "K Barrett"
wrote:

IMHO the production of male/female flowers is much more complicated than
just 'light'. Marilyn Light believes production is also dependent on the
robustness of the bulb producing the flower. Now, how does one quantify
"robustness"? ----------------------------------------

Personally, I'm too lazy to keep track and too forgetful to remember what
I
learned in the first place. (Gotta get that tag system set up!) I just
accept what the plant does.

K Barrett


But doesn't good light all year make for more robust bulbs?
Isn't this an argument for growing the plant to its best or
fullest potential?
says SuE who does not grow Catasetum at all.

SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

I know. This stuff could drive you batty. More robust bulbs tend toward the
female flower. How then does one get the male flower in nature? Heck if I
know! There must be a lot of wiggle room in the 'tendency' toward female
flowers... Or a great dependence on physical diversity inside the habitat.

As to growing plants in optimum conditions, I figure that you never truly
know exactly when the flower primordia will start and so you should always
be prepared, thru consistent good culture, to support that developement when
it does occur. (Which kinda ties in to why orchid clubs have a 6 month
ownership rule about plant entry for ribbon judging. You gotta show what you
grew.)

K