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

Black Swans and Sunspots in a Single Spiked Flower

A new Catasetinae hybrid from our benches that brings together two of the most dramatic cycnoches lines in cultivation. It stays neat, but the inflorescence makes a bold statement.

Each arching spike carries multiple heavy, waxy blooms in deep chocolate-maroon to near-black, accented by a strikingly detailed lip with fine dark spotting. The petals fold back slightly like a pair of wings, giving each bloom the posture of a bird taking flight.

You buy a Cycnoches cross expecting drama, but this one brings a refined edge that sits neatly on a windowsill or bench. The fragrance arrives in the heat of midday, filling the immediate air with a warm, spicy-sweet scent that lasts for weeks. Because both parents are known for heavy substance and high flower counts, these spikes carry serious weight without taking up your entire growing room. When winter arrives, the plant drops its foliage for a well-earned rest, leaving you with zero watering chores for months.

Quick Care Guide

• Light: Bright, indirect light during active growth; standard east or south window exposure with apple-green leaf color.

• Water: Heavy water and fertilizer while in leaf; completely dry during winter dormancy until new growth shows roots.

• Temperature: Nights 62–68°F, days 75–90°F. Warm growers that love summer heat.

• Fertilizer: High-nitrogen or balanced formula applied weekly while leaves are green and expanding.

• Mature size: Pseudobulbs reach 10 to 14 inches high, with arching inflorescences extending 12 to 18 inches.