My stanhopea collection

[Greenthumb.5]

I just wanted to ask you some questions on my three stanhopeas. The first will be saccata, the next will be martiana, and lastly will be oculata.

On the saccata's pseudobulbs, there are some sunken in brown areas. What is it and should I be worried?

The martiana's health is good overall and is starting a new growth. Any comments?

The oculata is a stubborn plant for me. All the leaves has been dying back and the new leads never grew much except only to yellow and stop growing. Any comments?

I will post the pictures of the martiana later today.

[isurus79]

Sunken brown areas are VERY worrisome. Looks like you might be growing these guys a bit too wet, which for moisture loving Stans would be very wet! I know oculata likes a fairly dry winter, so this might be part of the problem, especially if the temps are getting too cool.

[Greenthumb.5]

Sorry for the long wait, been stuck in school away from my orchids. School is evil!!!

Okay the oculata is starting to look better since I followed your recommendations, thanks.

How would I treat the sacata's brown spots?

[JP020366]

Hi Greenthumb

Would like to be able to advise more on the saccata, but only thing I can add is be careful when handling it if the brown spots are fungas or virus. Try not to spread it.

And with watering I agree with Steve...Barney Greer once wrote water and fertilise Stanhopeas as per Cattleyas. But with Stanhopeas the medium holds slightly more water so generally stays moist for longer. In winter I hardly water mine...especially maculosa and lietzei. Have noticed most of them grow better with not too much water.

In my experience watering at the wrong time can also lead to new growths damping (rotting) off and spikes aborting. Water gets caught in the wrong places. Usually more careful with watering as spikes come through the medium.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

John

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Greenthumb.5

How would I treat the sacata's brown spots?

Are the brown spots mushy or dry?

[Greenthumb.5]

The brown spots are firm and dry.

[isurus79]

I'd leave them then. If you can take a knife and cut into the wounds and they "bleed," then I'd cut off the p-bulb completely. If its totally dry, then you're ok and can just leave the bulb as is.

[Yéri]

I'm agreeing with everything that has been said above, you seem to keep them too wet.

Keeping a plant "wet" should be kept in mind for the watering regime, but first think about your conditions (compared to the greenhouse you've bought it from for example).
If you have a colder greenhouse with less ventilation let's say, your watering regime should be less intensive, as the medium will take longer to dry out.

I hope this helped