Stanhopea wardii
 

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.

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?

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.

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 ;-)

Fabulous!

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 ...

:hello 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!

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.

Excellent coloration. And your plant is impressive as well.

Subrosa is right, cut back watering ASAP. The new leaves that are growing will just sit on top of small p-bulbs that didn't reach their maximum size. Without a hard dry period, this species won't bloom.

Thanks for your useful comment (also Orchid killer). While both species are closely related, it looks indeed more like anfracta- if anfracta is considered to be a valid species.
Here is a link to Nina Rachs Stanhopea pages
Stanhopea anfracta Rolfe 1904

What lovely egg yolk color! Congrats! My wardii grows and grows and rarely bloom. Never knew about a dry period! So will start now and see!


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