Stanhopea wardii

[Oscarman]

First Stanhopea for me. Bought it at our show in April and then repotted it. Shortly afterwards it dropped all of it's leaves and I thought it was going to taking the fast train to the graveyard!

Then 2 flower stems appeared from the bottom of the wire basket. They didn't do much at first while the plant threw up a new huge leaf. Then they started to extend and extend! The growth habit is so neat. the buds started to fatten up and then they just popped up like an umbrella opening!

They opened fast and looks like they are going to fade fast. The smell is quite unique and strong. I can even smell it outside by the fan vents. Sort of a combination of mothballs, menthol.......sort of in between pleasant and not pleasant!

[DeaC]

Beauty of a plant! I have my first 2 as well-just repotted the bigger one to a slatted basket so I'm learning as I go. That one is jenishiana-the smaller is assidensis x Ronsard. For now I can gaze at yours!

[Gwallogwyn]

Looks great., but it's not wardii,it's graveolens. Wardii has a pleasent smell graveolen stinks of mothballs. But it is stiill a nice plant.

[isurus79]

Looks great and congrats on your first Stan!

[WhiteRabbit]

Fabulous!
I have been hankering for a Stan!

[Oscarman]

Originally Posted by Gwallogwyn

Looks great., but it's not wardii,it's graveolens. Wardii has a pleasent smell graveolen stinks of mothballs. But it is stiill a nice plant.

Excellent, thank you for the ID

[smweaver]

That's quite an impressive display of blooms. Congratulations on your first stanhopea blooming. As someone already mentioned, it's probably not wardii if it smells like mothballs, as wardii's scent is really good (reminds me of vanilla). Still, those blooms look awesome.

[howze01]

Very cool plant! Congrats!!

I've been wanting a Stanhopea for a while now. Such awesome growth habits.