Stanhopea wardii season starting

[Roberta]

I think October is going to be a fantastic month for Stanhopea wardii. This is the first inflorescence on the first of 3 plants of the species... this spike has only 3 flowers, but there's a bigger one with 4 or 5 on the same plant that's a maybe a week to 10 days out, and another spike just peeking out. Color in the early morning sun is brilliant yellow - even more vibrant than the photo. (Fragrance lovely!) And then, a couple more plants, divisions of a different cultivar, with 3 spikes each, that still have a couple of weeks to go for the beginning of blooms. Unlike Stan. tigrina, that all seemed to go off at once, this species spreads them out. It is also super-vigorous. So I'll show more later, but the first one is special.

[Jeff214]

I wish I can smell them!

[Roberta]

Alas, technology falls short. The fragrance is lighter than tigrina, I think. Very lovely. And of course, that burst of perfume when Stans first pop open, is a joyful experience. For me, S. tigrina tends to open very early in the morning - I usually find it fully open by the time that I get up. S. wardii is a little more delayed, so often I wake up to buds, go get my coffee and suddenly have flowers, occasionally even catch it in the act.

[DirtyCoconuts]

whhhoooooo baby doll!


that is a specimen@@@!!! aaaaooooogah (tex avery eyes!)

[Leafmite]

Love it!

[KatieM]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[Roberta]

Thanks, everyone. And these are just getting started!

[DeaC]

For me, the best part of an orchid growing experience. Yours is gorgeous.

[Jmoney]

wow, I am partial to yellow flowers and that is just gorgeous

[rbarata]

I can even feel your enthusiasm from your words. Beautiful, indeed.
My wardii always bloom in july and blooms open in the early morning.