Stanhopea tigrina nigroviolacea 'The Predator' FCC/AOS arrived!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I wonder if the night temps are the culprit... That's the big difference between Texas heat and California heat. The inland valleys in southern California routinely get a lot hotter than 93 deg F in the summer. (I spent about 25 years of my life in that area, and hope to never do it again ) But summer nights are only rarely above the mid 70's F and usually in the 68-72 deg F range.

It's very possible!

[Jinh]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I wonder if the night temps are the culprit... That's the big difference between Texas heat and California heat. The inland valleys in southern California routinely get a lot hotter than 93 deg F in the summer. (I spent about 25 years of my life in that area, and hope to never do it again ) But summer nights are only rarely above the mid 70's F and usually in the 68-72 deg F range.

I wonder if one of the “Kool Log” things might work or something similar. I had been looking at them because I wanted to attempt a Masdevallia Veitchiana. I wouldn’t mind trying to grow them indoors, but I just have terrible lighting inside my house and grow lights just produce so much heat when it’s already 100 degrees outside.

[Roberta]

I don't see how you would be able to grow a Stanhopea on a cool log, which lends itself more to small things. If "outside" is the better environment for growing, and spikes start to develop, maybe grow it outside until it starts to get hot, then move it indoors in the A/C for blooming. (Once it has gotten the spike going, a month or so of less-than-ideal light probably won't bother it)

[Jinh]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I don't see how you would be able to grow a Stanhopea on a cool log, which lends itself more to small things. If "outside" is the better environment for growing, and spikes start to develop, maybe grow it outside until it starts to get hot, then move it indoors in the A/C for blooming. (Once it has gotten the spike going, a month or so of less-than-ideal light probably won't bother it)

Maybe so, I had just seen on their website they had grown and bloomed many species of Gongoras. Minus the flower spike not growing out of the bottom, I thought maybe those had similar enough growth habits that it could be done.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Jinh

Maybe so, I had just seen on their website they had grown and bloomed many species of Gongoras. Minus the flower spike not growing out of the bottom, I thought maybe those had similar enough growth habits that it could be done.

Given the size of the Stanhopeas, not sure how that would work. Another consideration... evaporative cooling doesn't work very well (if it does anything at all) in high humidity. (Which is why misting and extra watering hasn't worked well for others who live in your area) Since the cool-log concept depends on evaporative cooling, that factor would also work against you.

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[JScott]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Given the size of the Stanhopeas, not sure how that would work. Another consideration... evaporative cooling doesn't work very well (if it does anything at all) in high humidity. (Which is why misting and extra watering hasn't worked well for others who live in your area) Since the cool-log concept depends on evaporative cooling, that factor would also work against you.

Speaking of the size of Stanhopeas, mine came to me in a four inch plastic basket, and it has now almost completely filled a 12 in basket.

[WaterWitchin]

JScott!!

[JScott]

It's so good to hear from you! It's been so long! Glad we are both still around causing trouble.

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

I want to throw my 2 cents into the stanhopea tigrina blooms do not like mid 90's temps discussion. I have noticed that they also do not like 50 percent sun exposure in the heat of summer in North FL. I have the 'Glory of Mexico' variety and it spiked and tried to bloom last summer and flowers barely almost fully opened and quickly faded away. It is currently in spike with 4 and I will bring to my local OS display pavilion where it will be shadier and see if it can mature the blooms and will report.

[JScott]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I wonder if the night temps are the culprit... That's the big difference between Texas heat and California heat. The inland valleys in southern California routinely get a lot hotter than 93 deg F in the summer. (I spent about 25 years of my life in that area, and hope to never do it again ) But summer nights are only rarely above the mid 70's F and usually in the 68-72 deg F range.

That's definitely possible. You are exactly right about summer temps in Texas not getting much cooler at night. I have so many good suggestions, I'm not really sure where to start. This is right about the time of year spikes start to show, so I need to decide what to do lol.

And seriously y'all, thanks for all your help with this darn plant over the years. I think I started this thread like three years ago, and you're still here trying to help lol