New addition: Stanhopea Wardii. Help Please

[addictedcountryman]

I went to the orchid society meeting last night, which was the annual auction. I bid and won a Stanhopea Wardii. I believe I was bidding against EdinAZ, but I'm not sure he's the same Ed SO, long story short- have one, need to know the care. I have read mixed results between full shade and full sun. Any tips?

[Frdemetr]

A new addition or a new addiction ? I'm completely addicted to Stans! If your Stan has a correctly ID (believe me, misidentified Stans are much common!), it will need a place with much light but not direct sun, and you must take care about moisture (when actively growing, Stans need much moisture and fertilizing). Stan wardii in particular needs a clear dry (and non-fertilizing) period in the winter to rest; otherwise it will not bloom in spring /summer!
Wellcome to Stan World, the most beautiful orchid on Earth!

[betoguerrero]

Congratulations!!! You are next to be an Stanhopeadholic... The first thing you have to do is accept that you are an Stanhopea depedent...
Stanhopeas are Spectacular if you attent them with the requirements of moisture...
The flowers are amazing I compare them with gold fish...
Try with this St. Wardii, in the future you can have the St. Florida with an unique scent...

Welcome to this amazing world....!!!!

[addictedcountryman]

LOL i really want to do this right because it is soo huge!!!!! Can anyone please tell me temps because again i am researching and finding warm to hot. That isn't helping me too much. I want to stick it outside- it's been around 75 out and 50 at night but i am sure its too cold. humidity is naturally 24 percent outside right now and I can provide it either full sun or shade. Otherwise, in my room it goes under a light. Also, how dry should I keep it during the winter? It was watered the day I got it and I couldn't lift it. Someone had to help me. It's still moist, but from what I can tell with the roots it is similar to a phal (the care, that is?).

[isurus79]

Wow! Thats a monster of a plant! Keep watering it a lot until it stops growing (I see a half way mature growth on the left of the pic). Temps for wardii (if I recall correctly) should be the same as for your Catts in the winter (ie. winter temps of low 70's for the day and maybe mid to low 50's at night), light levels for my narrow leaved Stans tend to be similar to the to mid level of Catt light (not full shade, definitely not full sun) and you will probably need to provide humidity higher than 24%! Thats a beautiful and probably expensive plant so you should get a great show next summer! Welcome to the world of Stans!!!!!!

[betoguerrero]

It's a very strong and beautifull plant...

[addictedcountryman]

Thank you! I hope it stay that way.

[hosshead]

I don't actually completely stop watering in the winter.
Tried that once and lost several stans- bulbs withered and leaves practically JUMPED from the plants.

I do let the media dry down more in winter, and when it feels dry, then I do a single good soak in collected rainwater, then hang it back up near the lights. I keep a very small fan on in my GH so we don't go all rotty.
My stans all then return to the outdoors in late spring.

I just had a late stan open it's blooms;
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-stannoid.html
...and I think it would not have set or bloomed the spike if I had decreased watering so much back in October.

Best wishes and luck to your new stan!!!