Stanhopea reichenbachiana

[betoguerrero]

STEVE

I´ve got lots of questions...?????
I´m a Stanhopea lover... If you put that plastic around the baskets... it´s like a little greenhouse in every plant!!... what kind of plastic is it???
It´s a very good Idea... the spike breaks the plastic easily...
I have many Stanhopeas but no one is only whit spag.... it´s the best media???... I try with Cymbidium media whit no good results : dry leaves and no flowers...
This weekend I try your theory.... If it works ( I think so) You are a genius!!!
Thanks Steve!!! MY Stanhopeas HERO!!!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by betoguerrero

STEVE

I´ve got lots of questions...?????
I´m a Stanhopea lover... If you put that plastic around the baskets... it´s like a little greenhouse in every plant!!... what kind of plastic is it???
It´s a very good Idea... the spike breaks the plastic easily...
I have many Stanhopeas but no one is only whit spag.... it´s the best media???... I try with Cymbidium media whit no good results : dry leaves and no flowers...
This weekend I try your theory.... If it works ( I think so) You are a genius!!!
Thanks Steve!!! MY Stanhopeas HERO!!!

lol Im glad I could help! I only put the plastic around my smallest baskets for my 2 Stans and 1 Coryanthes in 4 inch baskets. All my others are in baskets that are large enough to hold moisture for 24 hours. The type of plastic is the kind that if you press it to something, it sticks really well. The spike does not break the plastic, but it creates a really obvious "bump." Then I cut a small slit in the plastic and the spike grows through. I should tell you, however, that the plastic only goes around the sides of the small baskets. The bottom is totally free of plastic. I think if you wrapped the whole thing, your media would probably go sour. The reason I have to do this is because I have so much wind where I live and the humidity in Hawaii when its not raining is pretty low (in the 50's), so I needed to retain moisture in my small Stan baskets. As for the spagnum, make sure it is long fiber (New Zealand is the best source) spag. It lasts longer, stay open and is just generally better than other types. Have fun potting this weekend! I know its one of my favorite duties!

[ottercottage]

Steve, thank you for posting the lovely reichenbachiana
photos. I've just purchased one plus the jenischiana "Catorce" and a Mormodes New Zealandia from Tropical Orchid Farm. I know your tips are always very, very helpful.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by ottercottage

Steve, thank you for posting the lovely reichenbachiana
photos. I've just purchased one plus the jenischiana "Catorce" and a Mormodes New Zealandia from Tropical Orchid Farm. I know your tips are always very, very helpful.

My pleasure! You will love the reichenbachiana and I was on Maui this past May at EoOM and they were raving about how nice that particular jenishiana from TOF is! Im also curious to see what the flower of the 'New Zealandia,' though my guess is that it is Morm colossus. I also just picked up the Sievekingia butcheri from them and I got a SUPER kick @ss extra plant! Enjoy your new 'chids!

[ottercottage]

Here is the photo from Tropical Orchid Farms of the mormodes New Zealandia. It reminds me more of a gongora?

[SueK]

Steve

Gorgeous Stan. I am green with envy. I want to live in Hawaii so I can visit Tropical Orchid Farm. It's not fair. I love Stanhopeas sooooo much. Have fun.

Sue

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by SueK

Steve

Gorgeous Stan. I am green with envy. I want to live in Hawaii so I can visit Tropical Orchid Farm. It's not fair. I love Stanhopeas sooooo much. Have fun.

Sue

I have to admit, Hawaii is the greatest place on earth! However, you live in Barney Greer's home country. There has got to be a TOF equivalent Down Under right?