Stanhopea radiosa
 

Hey everbody!

I need help... WHAT IN THE WORLD should I do with thing?! It is Stanhopea radiosa, sent to me a few years ago by Maria (peeweelovesbooks), and it has grown to a very hefty size... I didn't realize they grew this large, I swear!!! It won't flower at all, despite my efforts. How can I get this guy to bloom? Is the North Carolina summer climate suited to its seasonal outdoor preferences??? I think it needs more light as of now... but it is the winter and I simply can't give it any more. Do Stanhopeas really prefer a greenhouse to be successfully flowered? And, is this plant going to get even BIGGER?!?!?! What should I do?!

Thanks guys!!!! :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

I had a Stanhopea when we lived in Ontario. I don't know the species but it wasn't hard to bloom. I gave it as much light as I could without burning it during the summer, and fed it weakly weakly. I hung it outside sometimes. Yours looks like it has a nice bright window, so it's hard to imagine why it's not blooming. Perhaps it is a spring bloomer? I can't remember when mine bloomed.

hang her high in ur greenhouse, when the new bulbs are grown mature, cut the water, but dont let the bulbs shrink, than it should bloom. radiosa is a warmer type stanhopea and likes it high up in the greenhouse

grtz jesse

Yeah, they do get to be big plants. But you shouldn't need a greenhouse to bloom them. Just gradually increase the light and reduce the amount of nitrogen (especially after the newest growths have formed). A slightly dryer rest during the cooler months might also help to induce it to flower. Good luck!