Stanhopea oculata?

[Aussie42]

Hi folks.

I bought a fairly large Stanhopea recently and the owner didn't know what it is. It had a flower spike coming when I got it but it may not have liked the move too much and only one flower opened – pics below.

The smell is fantastic – like a slightly minty vanilla, and extremely rich and strong. To my untrained eye it looks like Stan oculata but I could easily be wrong. Any suggestions? Wardii perhaps?

Cheers,
Aus.

[britishbulldog]

Hey Aus,great Stanhopea!
Its definately one of the two,which I find are very difficult to tell apart.There are wardii's with stronger spotting and oculatas with less.The flower seems very pale,did you take the picture as it had just opened??
Simon

[Aussie42]

Hi Simon.

I wandered down the back around noon and found it open. The photos were taken around an hour or so after I saw it. It could have been open from the morning. I can take and post another pic tomorrow if it may help. Such a shame there's only one. I have spikes coming on 4 of my tigrinas - the first time I get to see them flower. Gonna be a great year.

Cheers,
Aus.

[smweaver]

Looks like oculata to me. And your description of the fragrance also fits the "standard" description of oculata's fragrance. I have Stanhopea wardii, and although there's definitely a nice vanilla scent to its flowers, I've never detected any hint of a mint aroma, which is scent that's frequently used in reference to oculata's flowers. Wardii's flowers are usually (though not always) a strong yellow color also, whereas oculata's are closer to cream. Either way, your plant has beautiful flowers. Congratulations on your great find.

Steve

[Aussie42]

Hi folks.

Not much point in putting up another flower photo - the colour is the same as yesterday.

It didn't smell much last night so I'm guessing the male euglossine bee is diurnal.

Cheers,
Aus.

[britishbulldog]

Ok Aus ...so if the colour has stayed "creamy" I think,like Steve, its probably an oculata.
Simon

[Patricia Harding]