Cyc. Cygnus Atratus 'Coffee' x Cyc. Richard Brandon 'Sun Spots'

Deep Mahogany Blooms with Sizzling Hot-Spiced Wintergreen Scent

This fresh Cycnoches cross brings together two heavy hitters in the Catasetinae world to deliver massive, waxy blooms on remarkably compact plants. Expect dense, arching clusters of heavy-substance flowers that look almost polished, packed onto pseudobulbs that won't try to take over your entire growing space.

The flowers open in deep mahogany to burnt-chocolate tones, frequently punctuated by intense yellow or amber undertones that peek through like glowing coals. Each bloom features a thick, fleshy lip and a long, gracefully curved column that swoops forward, giving the flower the distinct silhouette of a tiny swan poised over a dark pool.

Catasetums and their close cousins in the genus Cycnoches offer a kind of dynamic seasonality that makes them an absolute riot to grow. They spend the spring and summer growing at a furious clip and feeding like hogs, then drop every single leaf in winter to enter a complete, bone-dry rest. That seasonal drop means you get a mandatory break from watering them for months at a time—a rare feature in the plant world that your house sitters will deeply appreciate. When this cross spikes, the waxy blossoms fill the whole room with a warm, spicy wintergreen aroma that stays strong for weeks.

Quick Care Guide

• Light: Bright, filtered light; target a light apple-green leaf color during the active growing season.

• Water: Heavy, frequent watering while in full summer growth; zero water once leaves drop for winter dormancy.

• Temperature: Nights 62–68°F, days 75–90°F. Warm-growing year-round.

• Fertilizer: High-nitrogen or balanced fertilizer with every watering during spring and summer; stop completely during winter dormancy.

• Mature size: Pseudobulbs reach 8 to 12 inches tall; arching inflorescences extend 12 to 18 inches.