Stanhopea care

[IdahoOrchid]

Originally Posted by Frdemetr

Hi Steven!
Jenny is Swiss and he uses SI unities (ºC), as we in Brazil; but it's easy to find a web site that converts in ºF.
Stan anfracta is a South American Andean species (Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia), and doesn't need higher temps (about 20ºC is OK, but seldom below 15ºC in the winter). Andean weather is almost always humid, and the Stans from the Andes don't need winter rest.
I'm waiting for the flower pics!

59 F (15 C) I can do. My new humidifier keeps the room as humid as I want basically, but I have been holding at or about 60-70%.

With no winter rest I will continue to water and feed. I have been using MSU for RO water. I have some fish emulsion and will apply some at the recommended strength. From what I have read, phalaenopsis light or lower would be appropriate, right?

Anything else to share?

[CoolPhrog]

Stan reichenbachiana is an amazonic species, and needs higher temps all over the year (~20ºC), and constant humidity too

68F...got it, thanx....now all I have to do is figure out how to keep the humdity up in cooler temperatures...

[IdahoOrchid]

Originally Posted by irphrog

68F...got it, thanx....now all I have to do is figure out how to keep the humdity up in cooler temperatures...

What is your grow area?

[CoolPhrog]

9a

[IdahoOrchid]

No. I meant are you inside under lights? special grow room or in the main house? Greenhouse? Oustide?

[CoolPhrog]

Sorry, DUH!!! Not the sharpest knife in the drawer...

outside

[Frdemetr]

Originally Posted by IdahoOrchid

From what I have read, phalaenopsis light or lower would be appropriate, right?

About light: that's right, Steven; a little bit less light than the Phals need it's OK. We say here 'Stans are like bats', they love more shaded, humid and stinky places!

[IdahoOrchid]

Originally Posted by irphrog

Sorry, DUH!!! Not the sharpest knife in the drawer...

outside

Not much that can be done to control humidity in that situation. I have mine on the top shelf of a plant stand in a South facing window. This is in a room we have designated as a plant/storage room. We have a new humidifier that works really well in there and it will keep the humidity up to the point of being stifling if we wanted. In the name of mold and such we keep it below that though. Even in cold weather it is no problem. It is also my understanding that cool weather does not require quite the humidity level since there is no heat to buffer.

[Posey]

I don't grow that particular species but here is some more information on it:

ORIGIN/HABITAT: Southeastern Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. In Ecuador, plants have been collected in Zamora-Chinchipe near Cumbaratza along the Rio Zamora at 3300 ft. (1000 m), and at mile 28 (km. 45) between Loja and Zamora at 3950 ft. (1200 m). Plants grow on trees in very wet mountain forests at 2300-4600 ft. (700-1400 m).


In any event, I LOVE stanhopeas and basically grow all of the species and primary hybrids about the same (except when they first come out of flask). However, I tend to stick with those plants that are either native to warmer areas and lower elevations or primary hybrids of the same. My plants go in a coconut fiber lined basket with REALLY open media,,,mostly broken up peanuts with some CHC and a little bit of green moss fiber. I found that spag keeps them too wet. You want to grow them under dappled light. In the fall, when there is the growth spurt, I found it very helpful to top dress with some blood meal that you can get at any nursery. My temperatures range from about 55F to an occasional 100F. Humidity stays generally 55% to saturated and good air circulation is maintained at all times. Careful what insecticides that you use on them,,their leaves are particularly sensitvie to certain pesticides. Hope this helps.

[isurus79]

It sounds like this discussion has covered just about all bases on Stans!! However, I keep hearing about growing all Stans in low light, but every now and then I read that they like bright light. I had a jenishiana that I broke in two and neither peice was doing anything. I then slowly increased the light until it was "bright", ie. Cattlya conditions and now both halves grow like weeds!! I also have the rest on my Stans in similarly bright (though slightly less bright than the jenishianas) conditions and they too grow like weeds! Has anyone else had this experience with better growth under brighter conditions??? Or are my 'chids oddballs???