Stanhopea connata

[Frdemetr]

From the eastern slopes of the Andes (Peru, Colombia and Ecuador), between 1100 and 1700m in altitude, often growing directly above open water (ie, it is demanding in terms of moisture). Described by Klotzsch in 1854, has two distinctive characteristics (absents in all other Stans): the base of the column is not loose, but is connected ("connade") to hipochyl (arrow) and the column is almost straight, without curves. Other features (though not exclusive) are the two little pointed horns at the end of the column (red circle; this picture gives an idea of the size of the flower - my hand is not small!) and the petals more decorated than sepals. Delicious perfume, but not intense, in my nose it is atypical for Stans, reminds me the Cattleya fragrance!

[khill]

Wow--Gorgeous!

[cowboy51278]

Wow! Thats really nice. Now if i could just get my little connata seedling to grow faster!

[isurus79]

Excellent!! I can never get enough Stanhopeas!!!

[Paul]

Beautiful!

[Nokomis.FL]

Does this species require some altitude or would it do well near sea level, like in Florida?

[Frdemetr]

Hi Nokomis!
My plants are just 800m above sea level, but I think the real problem is the temperature range, ie, the temperature difference between day and night, not the altitude. Fortunately I have temperature range above 10°C for several months here, and I think its very unlikely that this occurs at sea level (except in controlled greenhouses)

[Bud]

Very nice bloom...I love the colors

[smweaver]

Beautiful blooms, Frederico. This species has been somewhat problematic for me. I grow it with all of the other stanhopeas in my collection, but it seems to struggle. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but the leaves get lots of spots that eventually turn black. I don't think they are of any great danger to the plant itself (and none of the leaves on any of the nearby stanhopeas become spotted), but they don't look nice and clean like the leaves of your plant. How much light do you give your plant? Does it receive any direct sunlight (early morning or late afternoon)? Do you keep it consistently moist or does it experience a dry season in your conditions?

Steve

[Frdemetr]

Hi Steve!
I have no problem with Stan connata; it is hanged "halfway up", ie it is not so high as to get more sunlight (under an "Aluminet 50%” - reflective shade cloth), not too close to the ground (use the trick of hanging Stan who enjoy the less light and more moisture very low, about 1 meter above the ground). It does not receive direct sun, but is well lit, and basketed in sphagnum moss (in the pic it was in tree fern fiber, but I put it on sphagnum to hold more moisture – it has re-bloomed soon after rebasketing!). Humidity throughout the year, without dry season (but our winter is naturally dry, I water once a week in the winter).