Stanhopea
 

I have just acquired 2 stanhopeas and would like advice on culture please

Hi Min,

I've moved this thread into the Stanhopea forum.

Which Stans do you have? It will help us in giving more precise info if we have the names :)

Stanhopea
 

Thanks for your prompt response. The two Stanhopea are:
1. Nigroviolacea ('MRS'x Selbst) and
2. Embreei ('Flori x Selbst"

I would be grateful for any tips on how to treat them. I live in the UK but I am not sure if that will have a bearing on your reply. Thanks. Min

I grow my nigroviolacea on the cool end of the g/h in bright light and keep it moist in the winter, very moist in the summer.

I don't have the other one.

Brooke

I have 10 stanhopeas to date. I live in WA state, USA. In many ways our climates are very similar. I grow cool in a south, partially shaded window at home, and an eastern window at work. Keep moist and feed a lot. I use a water-solvent fertilizer. Make sure your baskets have wide enough slats for the roots and growths to push through. I grow in the black, octagonal-shaped 6" or 8" baskets at this point. I grow in sphagnum moss. Keep the leaves clean to avoid spider mites. Stanhopeas grow like crazy! Be prepared for these guys to get HUGE! Culture tips are available if you Google. If you like stans., visit Tropical Orchid farm online for some irresistible and fabulous plants! There are some wonderful experts here at forum much more experienced - I hope you hear from them.

Moderately bright conditions (ie. medium Cattleya light), even moisture throughout most of the year and a slight dormant period in the winter/early spring where you cut back on watering when there is no growth occuring. You can also pile on the fertilzer as Stans in general tend to be heavy feeders. These are the conditions I grow my guys in. In addition to checking out Tropical Orchid Farm (like ottercottage mentioned), you should check out Bush Orchids (orchids stanhopeas tropical flowers care plants growing sales photos) over around your neck of the woods. While Ive never ordered anything from them, they seem to know their stuff and can probably help you out with growing conditions that are similar to yours. Good luck!

Thanks to all of you who have replied. I shall take your advice and report back in due course

Stanhopea Baskets
 

I too am now using the octagonal net baskets, but i put a thin layer of coconut husk around the basket to hold the moss in. Just started doing this so I don't know if it will give me any problems with the spikes.

Thanks I shall try

Nokomis the spikes should be able to come through the coconut just fine.

Brooke