Ooooooo Myyyyy! That is more spectacular than I'd imagined. I may be having a change of heart JScott! :biggrin: {{sigh}} Quit being an aider and abettor to my goals of only having plants that suit my environment!!

Woo hoo! Congratulations!
The fragrance amazing? Alas, we will have to take your word for THAT.

The fragrance is intoxicating. I keep finding myself going over to the plant just so I can sniff the flowers. I don't really know how to describe it. It has a nice floral undertone, with a more pronounced citrusy smell, and on top of that it has a mint or spearmint fragrance. There are only two flowers open, and already you can smell the fragrance in the whole room.

I don't know if I can explain it, really. It is unique. I think I would recognize the fragrance even if I couldn't actually see the plant. I would encourage anybody to give it a shot. If I can grow and bloom it here in Texas, I imagine it could probably bloom anywhere with a few simple adjustments.

wow that is an amazing flower! aptly named!

Honestly, I googled the predator from that movie, and I compared it to my Stanhopea flowers, and I just don't see it lol. It's still a good name, but I can't seem to find a resemblance.

oh I wasn't referring to the Predator from the Arnold movies, just something predatory (and sinister) in general. if an orchid blooms like that Predator I think it would give me nightmares. also I think the actual cultivar name might be just 'Predator', not 'The Predator'

Stanhopea tigrina 'The Predator' FCC/AOS (aka nigroviolacea)

according to the AOS database the award from 1996 is to a cultivar 'Predator', 90 point FCC. It seems that most searches bring up 'The Predator' which could just be a typo that has been perpetuated.

Well, you're likely correct. What the heck do I know? I can't even keep my labels in the pot half the time. :biggrin:

Once upon a time I could tell what plant I had by looking at it, no tag needed. I seem to have accrued too many plants to do that reliably anymore! :hmm