Stanhopea spp.- school me on care and feeding

[DVanVorous]

Thread name pretty much says it all. I'm getting a new addition to my little collection for a bday pres from the wife. Familiar with cats, phalenopsis but not this one. Did hit the AoS up for some info but it would be nice to get some 1st hand observations keeping in mind I live in MT where the house temp gets to around 65F. Plant will be hung adjacent to a skylight so I dont thing light will be an issue.

Thanks,
D.

[estación seca]

Keep it wet in a basket. Flower stems burrow down through the medium and emerge below.

[DeaC]

I have only 3 but managed to get 2 to bloom. You'll need them to be grown in baskets with at least 1-2'' spaces between the slots as flowers emerge from bottom of pot. I use wire baskets lined with coconut fiber and filled in with s/m. Have read even paper can be used as a lining. My growing area is simple. They hang from edge of growlights,near humidifier and fan overhead. Once warmer temps arrive, they go outside and hang under tree in dappled light. Home is ~65deg. and I believe they'd appreciate warmer temps but take it or leave it. Flowers only last 3-5 days for me but they're very exotic looking and fragrance is unique. Happy growing!

[DVanVorous]

Originally Posted by DeaC

I have only 3 but managed to get 2 to bloom. You'll need them to be grown in baskets with at least 1-2'' spaces between the slots as flowers emerge from bottom of pot. I use wire baskets lined with coconut fiber and filled in with s/m. Have read even paper can be used as a lining. My growing area is simple. They hang from edge of growlights,near humidifier and fan overhead. Once warmer temps arrive, they go outside and hang under tree in dappled light. Home is ~65deg. and I believe they'd appreciate warmer temps but take it or leave it. Flowers only last 3-5 days for me but they're very exotic looking and fragrance is unique. Happy growing!

So its possible to put them out in the summer in NJ? How cold do the nights get?
Dont have a humidifier in the house but I've been waffling on that purchase for plant reasons. Maybe time to do it.

The room my little collection is in is a SE location with 3 big sky lights and fully glassed. Basically the dining area overlooking a view of the Mission mountains. Lots of natural light but not so much that I cant tier the plants and keep diffused sun types happy.

So coconut fiber exterior in a open weave hanger filled with sphagnum works then. I have time to get set up as the plant hasn't shown up from Santa Barbara Estates yet. Told them to hold off shipping until the MT weather is above 50F.

When did they bloom? I ask because if its summer I have to keep an eye out for the humming birds. They come in the house and will try to get the nectar. Had it happen with my Cats if they bloom in the summer. We keep the house doors open during the summer for air circulation...

[rbarata]

You'll find lots of very good information here.

[DeaC]

DVanVorous, once summer nights stay ~70 I'll put them outside. Had one hanging around edge of umbrella last yr and noticed hummer checking out the bloom! Plants may have gotten too much sun tho in that particular spot so less is probably more around here. A work in progress and they do demand more real estate but so very satisfying. The site suggested by rbarata I've referred to many times.

[DVanVorous]

Originally Posted by DeaC

DVanVorous, once summer nights stay ~70 I'll put them outside. Had one hanging around edge of umbrella last yr and noticed hummer checking out the bloom! Plants may have gotten too much sun tho in that particular spot so less is probably more around here. A work in progress and they do demand more real estate but so very satisfying. The site suggested by rbarata I've referred to many times.

Im looking at the Stan. embreei which by all accounts Ive read is a cooler higher elevation plat from Ecuador but...

My eves are where I feed the birds from and its also a handy spot for plants during the short summer we get.