Stanhopea oculata versus S. tigrina

[Oculata]

After a few years of growing these Stanhopea together under a tree, I have these three plants that are in bloom at the same time. It is really evident how large the flowers of S. tigrina are compared to S. ocluata in the first photograph. The two flowers of S. tigrina are larger than two inflorescences of S. oculata combined. In the last photograph it was just nice to enjoy the fragrances of all three plants in bloom at once!

[isurus79]

Holy cow, I don't know how I missed this one! That scent must have been AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

[WhiteRabbit]

Fabulous! Good growing!

[brianwstephens]

Beautiful flowers! Does it ever get too cold to keep them outdoors down there in the winter?

[Oculata]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Holy cow, I don't know how I missed this one! That scent must have been AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

The fragrance was great for that week with the mix of S. oculata and S. tigrina together....filled the whole end of the garden. On top of that about 25 feet farther down the path I had this S. shuttleworthii in bloom too. This one smells a bit like lemon meringue.

[Oculata]

Originally Posted by brianwstephens

Beautiful flowers! Does it ever get too cold to keep them outdoors down there in the winter?

For S. oculata and S. tigrina - these are quite hardy here in San Diego near the coast. It is the cold and wet that gives them problems, and this last year they had more fungus attack on the leaves than normal. I keep most of my collection outdoors through winter (most of them being cool to intermediate growers). All of the more tropical species I bring indoors or move onto my covered patio for the winter.

I grow several of the Stanhopea under a tree canopy and under the eaves of the house so this helps protect them from bad weather. Many of the orchid nursery growers of Stanhopea here in San Diego also grow most of the cool to intermediate growers outdoors under saran cloth the year around.