Container tips for Stanhopea?

[greenhouseFrog]

I’ve had this Stanhopea shuttleworthii for only about a month—the newest pseudobulb has been steadily putting on mass in my care, too!It’s growing in sphagnum inside of a 1 ounce(30ml) plastic cup and it seems like the future growths are going to grow over the sides of the cup it’s in.

From what I’ve been able to gather, these plants are most often grown in hanging baskets, but it seems like folks are particular about the baskets having large enough openings so as to not hamper the emergence of the spikes.

As an aside, I’ve considered acquiring a second Stanhopea to see if I might be able to grow one mounted to a tree—the solitary Catasetum I have mounted bare-root still hasn’t died(and surprisingly hasn’t been shriveling)and that has emboldened me to potentially throw away money in pursuit of cool plants that I can grow on trees!

Looking for your input—how do you grow your Stanhopeas? Thank you in advance!

Live from greenhouseFrog’s busted stovetop, it’s Stanhopea shuttleworthii!

[Roberta]

Most of my Stanhopeas are in plastic baskets (6 inch or 8 inch) Then I watch them when they start to develop spikes, if I see one getting stuck, I get out my clippers and cut the basket around it to set it free. Over a few years, new growth pokes out of the hole, no problem... they're epiphytes after all, the remains of the basket stay sufficient to hold the hanger for quite awhile.

A few larger ones are in wire baskets with BIG holes - problem with those is keeping medium (even sphagnum) in place. A trick I have used when potting those is to line the basket with a few layers of newspaper. They hold the sphangum in place until it gets a chance to "solidify" a bit with roots holding it, in a couple of years the paper just disintegrates. And if spikes develop, they can poke through easily. (Some people use coco fiber liners, spikes may or may not poke through, I prefer not to take the chence).

[DeaC]

Mine are also in wire baskets but they're older so roots and bark have filled them up. For quite a few yrs I think I've made a lot of work for myself with their upkeep as I'm able to place them outside in good weather but bring them in when temps drop, hanging on a sturdy tripod clothes hanger. They need lots of water and what I can't fit in the kitchen sink gets placed in the shower. Only 1 bloomed for me this past summer-fall but I'm so smitten with the flower and fragrance that being a glutton for punishment will continue. And those coco fiber liners have not been my favorite.

[greenhouseFrog]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Most of my Stanhopeas are in plastic baskets (6 inch or 8 inch) Then I watch them when they start to develop spikes, if I see one getting stuck, I get out my clippers and cut the basket around it to set it free. Over a few years, new growth pokes out of the hole, no problem... they're epiphytes after all, the remains of the basket stay sufficient to hold the hanger for quite awhile.

A few larger ones are in wire baskets with BIG holes - problem with those is keeping medium (even sphagnum) in place. A trick I have used when potting those is to line the basket with a few layers of newspaper. They hold the sphangum in place until it gets a chance to "solidify" a bit with roots holding it, in a couple of years the paper just disintegrates. And if spikes develop, they can poke through easily. (Some people use coco fiber liners, spikes may or may not poke through, I prefer not to take the chence).

Thank you for sharing your experience and technique, Roberta—that newspaper method seems especially handy when there are big holes!

I’ve got a ton of galvanized chicken wire that I’ve really got no other use for—the holes in it are roughly hexagonal and the openings are about the size of a half-dollar piece. I was thinking about cutting a 8.5inx11in rectangular piece of chicken wire and “framing” the edges with heavier gauged galvanized wire woven in & out of the holes in the chicken wire to give it some rigidity because chicken wire isn’t the strongest stuff! If I waste not, I want not

Thanks again!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by greenhouseFrog

Thank you for sharing your experience and technique, Roberta—that newspaper method seems especially handy when there are big holes!

I’ve got a ton of galvanized chicken wire that I’ve really got no other use for—the holes in it are roughly hexagonal and the openings are about the size of a half-dollar piece. I was thinking about cutting a 8.5inx11in rectangular piece of chicken wire and “framing” the edges with heavier gauged galvanized wire woven in & out of the holes in the chicken wire to give it some rigidity because chicken wire isn’t the strongest stuff! If I waste not, I want not

Thanks again!

Just watch as spikes develop, if you see one getting trapped, get out those diagonal cutters and set it free.

[greenhouseFrog]

Originally Posted by DeaC

Mine are also in wire baskets but they're older so roots and bark have filled them up. For quite a few yrs I think I've made a lot of work for myself with their upkeep as I'm able to place them outside in good weather but bring them in when temps drop, hanging on a sturdy tripod clothes hanger. They need lots of water and what I can't fit in the kitchen sink gets placed in the shower. Only 1 bloomed for me this past summer-fall but I'm so smitten with the flower and fragrance that being a glutton for punishment will continue. And those coco fiber liners have not been my favorite.

Thanks for sharing your experience, DeaC! I have to admit that if it wasn’t for my environment, I wouldn’t be able to dedicate the time to grow anything—growers like yourself in higher latitudes that move their collections with the seasons will forever have my veneration!