Stanhopea wardii blooming

[rbarata]

This plant has been suffering from several problems, in my opinion all related with low humidity (mites included) and possibly a fungal disease (anthracnose).

Anyway, it always blooms this time of the year (with a 2nd spike coming). At this moment my house smells like Stanhopea.









Some photos of the plant...

[Burgos]

Nice flowering! I'd appreciate some tips on its culture, as I have it too and seem to be having the same issue with leaf burn. My humidity is typically between 60-80% and direct sunlight even in the very early morning seems to affect it rather negatively causing spots and defoliation. I'm considering repotting and don't know when the best time is nor what type of mix I should use.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Burgos

Nice flowering! I'd appreciate some tips on its culture, as I have it too and seem to be having the same issue with leaf burn. My humidity is typically between 60-80% and direct sunlight even in the very early morning seems to affect it rather negatively causing spots and defoliation. I'm considering repotting and don't know when the best time is nor what type of mix I should use.

Hi neighbour!

You'll find plenty of information here, here, here and especially here.

[Roberta]

rbarata. some great references! Thanks! I think my only disagreement would be with the "hot to warm" designation... like, don't tell MY plants... I grow the species outdoors, winter nights can go to 4 deg C (40 deg F) or occasionally cooler, winter days 15-20 deg C. Warm summer, yes. So generally, a very forgiving species, cool to warm is closer to what I observe. The biggest challenge is keeping this one (and the others) wet enough in summer. I water A LOT. Also interesting to me that yours is blooming this early... For me, Stan. tigrina is getting close (usually around the end of July, this year might even be early August) but wardii doesn't bloom for me until late September or more often first or second week of October or even later.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Roberta

rbarata. some great references! Thanks! I think my only disagreement would be with the "hot to warm" designation... like, don't tell MY plants... I grow the species outdoors, winter nights can go to 4 deg C (40 deg F) or occasionally cooler, winter days 15-20 deg C. Warm summer, yes. So generally, a very forgiving species, cool to warm is closer to what I observe. The biggest challenge is keeping this one (and the others) wet enough in summer. I water A LOT. Also interesting to me that yours is blooming this early... For me, Stan. tigrina is getting close (usually around the end of July, this year might even be early August) but wardii doesn't bloom for me until late September or more often first or second week of October or even later.

The links I posted have all the info needed for Stan culture, especially the last link. It has all the info condensed in one site. I used it in my early Stan days to know how to basket it.

About the temps I really can't argue because my plant is growing indoors year round.
About the blooming season, mine always blooms in this time of the year, like a clock. As far as I remember, it never bloomed as late as yours.

[Burgos]

Thank you very much for the info. Mine handled temps outdoors all winter (down to 1°C night to 8-12°C day) with little rain. It is the summer with lower humidity and sun that's a little challenging. Hopefully one day it gets that strong.

[Roberta]

I got my Stan wardii from a fellow orchid club member who divided a very large plant that she had obtained from an elderly grower who lived in the town of Encinitas (a bit north of San Diego) The cultivar name of the plant (now plants, I divided it) is 'Los Vientos Encinitas'. That didn't mean a lot to me until one year it bloomed just as the seasonal hot dry winds (which typically occur in late September or into October) were howling. I said to myself, "Aha! THAT's where the name came from." Bob Marlin did have a great sense of humor. So it has bloomed in fall for many years, got its name likely decades before I acquired it.

Plants do what they do when they want to do it, and we can just watch and enjoy!

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Hi neighbour!

You'll find plenty of information here, here, here and especially here.

That last reference you listed I've used for quite a few yrs .My few Stans are throwing out new growth but the leaves usually always looked ratty. Mine seem to do better with shadier and/or cool temps. Water hogs too.

[DirtyCoconuts]

well done- what a show

[PuiPuiMolcar]

Wicked bloom!