STANHOPEAS Care & Culture

Stanhopeas are quite popular in serious orchid growers collections despite the fact that their flowers only last a few days. The reason for this is because their flowers are amazingly intricate, often fragrant, and each pendant plant can have several flower spikes.

LIGHT: Stanhopeas require bright light to bloom. The proper light level ranges from 2,000-3,000 foot candles. Leaves should be and medium green in color. In the San Francisco Bay area, Stanhopeas can be summering outside, provided that they are introduced to the higher light level gradually.

TEMPERATURE: Stanhopeas are intermediate growers and enjoy a temperature range between 52-80 degrees F. Higher temperatures can be tolerated if accompanied by increased humidity and decreased light levels.

WATER: Stanhopeas need lots of water to grow and bloom well. If plants are subjected to prolonged periods of dryness in the early spring, they will not flower. Stanhopeas are always grown in baskets to accommodate their downward spike habit, and this means that most plants will need to be watered every 2-3 days.

HUMIDITY: Stanhopeas need humidity between 40% and 70. Humidity can be increased by frequent misting.

FERTILIZER: Stanhopeas should be fed regularly. Use a balanced fertilizer (20-20-20) applied at ¼ - ½ strength every week during the growing period. Flush with plain water once a month.

POTTING/RE-BASKETING: Stanhopeas are grown in baskets, they are pendant in flower habit. Re-basket after they are finished blooming. Line the baskets with either sphagnum or green moss and fill it with medium bark and large perlite. Stanhopeas flower better when they are allowed to grow into large clumps, so avoid frequent dividing. If your plant has outgrown its basket, just slip the whole thing, basket and plant, into a larger basket.

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