Stanhopea Tigrina 'Ebony Queen'

[smweaver]

Brenda, those look fantastic. And, in my opinion, you're right (on two counts). It's hard to photograph such a three-dimensional bloom; when one part comes into focus, a couple of more areas seem to go out of focus, especially when you try to take a close-up. And yes, to my nose, they also have a sort of overpowering "old lady perfume" to them (although I wouldn't call it unpleasant). Still, they're quite beautiful and definitely impossible to ignore.

Steve

[Brenda Aarts]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Awesome! How are the other spikes doing on this one? Any luck getting them to grow again?

Steve, I think I've lost the spike beside it. Felt it this morning and it feels a bit dry and it has turned to more of a brown color. Maybe not enough water and fert. when the plant was preparing to bloom. What can I say I'm a rookie! On the other side though the smaller spike continues to develope. The smell is not quite as strong today, not giving me a headache like it was yesterday anyways!!!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Brenda Aarts

Steve, I think I've lost the spike beside it. Felt it this morning and it feels a bit dry and it has turned to more of a brown color. Maybe not enough water and fert. when the plant was preparing to bloom. What can I say I'm a rookie! On the other side though the smaller spike continues to develope. The smell is not quite as strong today, not giving me a headache like it was yesterday anyways!!!

There could have been some mechanical damage to the spike that you couldn't see as well. Sometimes they just abort a spike for no obvious reason too! At least there is one more!!

[Brenda Aarts]

Originally Posted by isurus79

l. Sometimes they just abort a spike for no obvious reason too! At least there is one more!!

2nd spike definately aborted its mission, but the third is open now and stinking up my house....once again, missed the orchid show by 4 or 5 days. Maybe one day I'll time it right, in the meantime I'll enjoy the exotic stinky things!!

[Brenda Aarts]

Originally Posted by Juan Palo Paparoni

The fragance have to be superb!!!!!

Actually Juan, I described it as "old lady perfume" smell...I don't like it, in fact very strong and gives me a headache, other people do not seem to find it as offensive. I will put up with the smell though in order to look at them all day!

[golforchid]

Originally Posted by Brenda Aarts

The spike right beside it has kind of "paused", while the one coming out the other side appears to be slowly growing. Hopefully I don't lose any, is it normal for a few spikes on these at a time? Do they always smell like "old lady perfume"....sorry if I offended anyone, but I'm not crazy about the smell on this one. (HA HA)> I was expecting more like a spicy soft vanilla smell or something. Oh well, I'll have to put up with it. Thanks for all the nice comments, this is my first stan in bloom so I'm thrilled.

Brenda - the smell be not for thee, but for the bee!

[Brenda Aarts]

Originally Posted by golforchid

Brenda - the smell be not for thee, but for the bee!

Good point golforchid.

[Sandy4453]

I am so envious. This is so beautiful. Exactly what you did, you did it perfect! My S. wardii (first Stan.) was a disaster...first, leaf burn and then a bad case of scale. I'm trying again, thanks to Maria (pee wee loves books) who sent me a young one, just last week.

Great growing!!!

[Brenda Aarts]

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

Exactly what you did, you did it perfect! My S. wardii (first Stan.) was a disaster...first, leaf burn and then a bad case of scale.
Great growing!!!

Thanks Sandy, I had it outside this summer, I think it must have liked it. I also have a wardii but it is a small plant in comparison, am just noticing 2 new growths on it. Good luck with yours, it will be well worth your efforts when it blooms for you. I saw a Stan. jenishiana during a show last weekend and it had 8 or so flowers...needless to say I now have one on order. I seem to have a new "fixation".