Stanhopea wardii

[euplusia]

Bought this one from ecuagenera mislabeled as connata. It grew well but refused to flower for more than 6 years, so I knew it had to be another species. After plenty of water and fertilizer over the summer and a decided dry period in autumn it finally produced the first spike with 10 egg yolk yellow oculated flowers.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Awesome! Love it. How do you provide that "dry period"? Do you completely stop watering or do you just keep it much drier than summer time?

[isurus79]

Beautiful! That yellow color is so intense!

Tommy,
When I was growing a ton of Stans in Hawaii, I'd stop watering certain species completely and even cover the plants to prevent the rain from getting in. They shrivel up quite a bit but always rewarded me with flower.

[euplusia]

In the dry period I give once within 10 days about 30-50% of the amount of water that I give daily in summertime. I allow the bulbs to shrivel considerably.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by euplusia

In the dry period I give once within 10 days about 30-50% of the amount of water that I give daily in summertime. I allow the bulbs to shrivel considerably.

Many thanks! Mine should have distinctive dry period too, so I guess I have to really lower my watering, I do water little bit once a week now, which is still more than I should listening to you ;-)

[WhiteRabbit]

Fabulous!

[Gwallogwyn]

Beautiful. But it looks more like anfracta not wardii.

[Orchid killer]

Originally Posted by Gwallogwyn

Beautiful. But it looks more like anfracta not wardii.

I agree with Gwallogwyn, I don't think it is a wardii.
I have a wardii in flower now, I will post come pictures shortly for comparison.
But no complaints, it is lovely though ...

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by euplusia

In the dry period I give once within 10 days about 30-50% of the amount of water that I give daily in summertime. I allow the bulbs to shrivel considerably.

So grand and showy! Tell me...if new leaves are appearing,wouldn't you still water? I have jennishiana and read they need a drier winter rest but new leaves growing have me confused...doesn't take much!

[Subrosa]

My jenischiana also had leaves in various stages of development when I started the dry treatment in November. I decreased watering frequency from about once every other day to once every other week. The new leaves stalled but haven't deteriorated in any way. I have no doubt that they will begin growing once I up the watering regimen in a couple weeks.