Repotting a very old Stanhopea NoID

[spacekat9]

Hi all

A friend inherited a Stanhopea from her in laws. The plant has to be at least 20 years old and is in a sorry state but despite neglect still managing to live. I would like to repot it for her and need advice in the best potting mix and anything to be aware of with that species. Sorry- no pics at present but it is in a large hanging basket, probably 30cm diameter if not a bit bigger , tightly packed. No flowers in recent years but that is more due to nutrition deficit/ neglect I think.

Thanks

[rbarata]

Take a look at this link. That's the one I've used to give me more visual guidance.

Probably it can be divided but, to evaluate that, a photo would be really helpfull.

As information, after your 5th post you can post photos...alternatively you can post a link to a photo stored outside OB.

[spacekat9]

Thanks! That link was exactly what I needed. I will take before/after pics of the potting process. And the info on the juveniles was useful too- I have a couple of nigriviolecea that have not done as well as I wished...noe I think I know why!

[rbarata]

I have a still young Stan wardii, previously potted in a plastic pot and I've repotted is a basket according the procedure in the link I sent you.
The plant is growing really well but I needed to figure how my watering regimen had to change: completely different medium+change from summer into winter.
That's an important aspect to look for.

[spacekat9]

The one common thread I have read is that I need to drop the watering off once the temperature drops here (Sydney, Aus). They seem/need to like to dry out but we have very low humidity in winter here and I will need to find that balance, a bit like dendrobium speciosum. The mistake I did make with the younger ones was that they really hate the slightest breeze- too drying I guess. I've moved them to a sheltered place with strong morning light until about 9am, then filtered for the rest of the day and they are much happier.

[rbarata]

According the info I gathered since I got my Stan, almost 3 years ago, is that they don't like to get dry and also don't like low humidity, even when it's cool.
Maybe some of our fellow members more experienced in Stans can give us more info.

[Roberta]

I don't have huge amounts of experience with Stanhopeas, but a recent insight... I had them in an area where they were getting watered, but were drying out too fast in summer because the output of the house attic fan was nearby, warm dry air. They lost most of their leaves (not good). I moved them to another area, where they are getting more water and just the normal breeze. Sprouting leaves vigorously. So... I think they do not want to dry out at all. Remember, they are in open baskets, which dry out quickly. So, my conclusion...Stans need lots of water, often.

[estación seca]

I heard a lecture by Brandon Tam, orchid curator at the Huntington Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles. He said their Stanhopeas are in hanging baskets [of sphagnum moss] in the cool greenhouse, kept constantly wet throughout the year, with a drip system that waters them several times per day.

You can only goof and let one dry out once while in growth. All new growths being pushed will probably die if you do this. If you do it again before it recovers you will probably lose the plant.

Whatever it's in, it is certainly time to repot. The plant may fall apart on its own into pieces. Pot each one up separately.

[spacekat9]

Thanks for all the advice. My friend sent me a pic- it's huge! bigger then I remembered, growing out all parts of the basket it is in (and doing well despite neglect). I think it will fall apart once I remove the basket but it is a bigger, more delicate job then I anticipated.
Estacion, Roberta- I was pretty dubious about the drying out part so your comments were helpful. I thought the breeze was an issue with my little ones. Also you gave me the idea of asking the Botanical gardens folk as they will be all over the local conditions. Thanks again!

[Manfred Busche]

Easy.
Take the plant out of the old pot,
shake off all old compost,
hang it in inverted position (roots up) and water it daily for 1 month,
then plant it (no wobbling) into a basket with Chile sphagnum.
Provided that the place is "warm", 18°-20°C that is ...