Inherited greenhouse - Stanhopea ID Assit
 

Hi all, I have recently inherited my grandfathers orchid greenhouse after 3+ years of neglect. I have been posting in beginners discussion as the tally count as of yesterday was 60+ unknown orchids. The tags are so old can't b read for dirt flaking and age has worn off names.

Yesterday one of the metre wide baskets bloomed and a google search tells me it's a Stanhopea :-) can anyone help with ID of this beautiful flower?? Any assistance would b appreciated.

Also I think it needs re-basketing from look of medium but man o man as someone totally new to orchids re-potting that basket seems overwhelming lol. My local orchid society doesn't start meeting until last week in march and from my reading this gorgeous orchid should n re-potted after blooming :-s Any 101 for newbies on how to re basket metre sized orchids lol

Another pic
 

Closer pic of blooms

A Second Stanhopea - how to revive
 

There are about 4 other baskets I found in the greenhouse but the medium was rotten and the little bulbs are shrivelled to the point where black stuff like moss has grown over the medium and bulbs making them look like 1 clump of medium.

The 5th basket I found however is half like the others but had 2 green flowers and a few roots I can see standing underneath it. I would love some step by step tips on how to re-basket and revive.

Apart from the metre wide one, it seems all of the other stanhopeas of my grandfathers have passed :-( and its important to me to try to save what I can of his beloved plants.

I can't ID the Stan for you (kinda looks like a hybrid to me), but I can say your other Stans will probably just need to be repotted. They're pretty tough plants and will most likely bounce back after you clean them up a bit. When I had the room for Stans, long fiber spag in a basket was what I used and it worked great.

Wish I knew the answers, but I'm glad his orchids are in caring hands now. Good to carry own with his passion. Orchids are very endearing!

Another pic
 

Hi all thought I would add another pic of plant to show size and medium condition. How this helps :-)

I think you accidentally re-loaded the first pic in this thread! However, from that angle it looks fine to me.

Alike isurus my vague guess is a Stanhopea hybrid. Even if the plant basically needs repotting, it doesn't mean that it must be carried out immediately. Maybe you can contact a member of your local orchid society for assistace and help.

Stanhopea
 

Hi all, I think your right about waiting for the orchid society for the big one :-a it's just a little out of my depth. I have other small ones that I can try to re-basket.

what a project to carry out! I am sure your grandfathers spirit will be joyful! you are doing a good thing for yourself, the orchids, and his memory! kudos to you! by the time you do a few smaller ones, you will be less afraid to take on that monster...I always put off the big ones, they are just so...BIG! hopefully the local orchid society members will help you figure it out, and where to get proper supplies....good luck, and enjoy the orchids!