Orchid Stanhopea Care

Stanhopeas (pronounced stan-HOHP-ee-ah) orchids are noted for their incredible flowers with intricate mechanisms for pollination. Most have inflorescences that grow downward, so the plants must be potted in hanging baskets. Although the flowers are short-lived, they have a strong, distinctive fragrance, and each plant may produce many inflorescences throughout the year.

Stanhopea Light
Light should be bright, with direct sunlight diffused so as not to burn the leaves.

Stanhopea Temperature
This orchid likes moderate temperatures of 70° to 75° F during the day and 55° to 60° F at night. Plants can stand short spells of higher temperatures, but air movement, humidity and shading must all be increased.

Stanhopea Water
Water in ample quantities is important to produce strong pseudobulbs. Keep evenly moist. Stanhopeas can be sensitive to salt accumulation in the medium, so should never be allowed to dry out entirely, even during the winter months when growth may slow or stop.

Stanhopea Feeding
Fertilize at regular intervals with a diluted concentration every week to two weeks. Follow up with just plain water once a month to flush out excess fertilizer salts.

Stanhopea Potting
Potting is best done every two years right after summer flowering, as most plants seem to grow year round. An airy, yet moist medium which allows the flowers to burst through seems to work best. Don’t grow them in ordinary pots or you’ll never see the flowers.