Repotting Stanhopeas

[kmarch]

Stanhopeas are fantastic, unusual, spectacular orchids that sport large clusters of huge flowers. In the wild they are often found growing on cliffs or tree branches where their inflorescences can grow downwards as can be seen in these 2 photos:
http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotd...ernandezii.jpg
http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotd...ernandezii.jpg

This habit of the inflorescences growing downward rather than up poses interesting challenges for the hobby grower in that Stanhopeas can not be grown (when flowering size) in conventional pots. They must be grown hanging and in some manner that allow the inflorescence to come out of the bottom of the plant unimpeded.

For some time I have been needing to repot some NBS (near blooming size) Stanhopeas I had. They were getting to the size they could be flowering almost any season now so I needed to get them out of their traditional pots and into baskets. I should have basketed them up last year but got too busy with other things then came the heat and they suffered quite sadly so now I'm finally gettign to it.

I decided to photograph and post my repotting here to illustrate one option for potting and growing Stanhopeas.

Figure 1

Figure 1 - Before the potting - you can see that the stanhopeas were all potted in conventional pots. They are not yet flowering size and so conventional pot growing is ok. You can also see burned and dead leaves resulting from their rough summer.

Figure 2

Figure 2 - The baskets I use - Because Stanhopea inflorescences emerge form the base of a plant and grow downward they need ot be potted in baskets that have holes or slats in the bottom that are sufficiently large for the inflorescences to grow through. Usually about 1cm (1/4 inch) or so is sufficient. Most plastic or wood baskets fit this description.

Figures 3 & 4


Figures 3 & 4 - Preparing the sphag, lining the basket - I begin by soaking the aphagnum moss in the sink or a bucket of water and putting a layer of it in the bottom of the basket. Sphagnum moss, being soft will allow any flower spike to go through but will hold in any potting mix.

Figure 5

Figure 5 - Cleaned and ready to pot - I next unpot the stanhopea and clean up its roots just like you would any other potted epiphyte, removing brown mushy (dead) roots. You'll notice some thread-like things in the root ball. These are the tough central veins of dead roots. I like to leave these because they can be used to help anchor a plant.

Figures 6 & 7


Figures 6 & 7 - Mound in the middle - I put a mound of potting mix in the centre of the basket and then hold the plant on top of the mound letting the roots drape down the sides of the mound of potting mix. While holding the plant in place, I add mix around the pot until the plant is sufficiently secured in place. Because the basket is shallow it is difficult ot pack the mix sufficiently tight ot anchor the plant like we can with conventional pots so the plant might be a little loose feeling. If necessary you can further anchor the plant with a few wires looped over the plant and anchored under the bottom of the basket (this is not shown).

Figure 8

Figure 8 - Finished - Here's the plant all potted and ready to be hung up outside. I use twine to hang them up. I've now got 6 stanhopeas hanging. I repotted 5 in this round. Oh, and yes, I did notice the uninvited guest on the leaf. And I released him from his mortal coil.

[myorchid]

Thanks Kevin, very informative!

[mdomingz]

AWESOME to see stanhopeas in the wild!! Really great pics.

manuel
panama

[patticake]

How cool! That's kind of how I potted my bulbo. medusae. (only on a much smaller scale) I can't wait to have a bigger place to grow the chids. I want a stanhopeas really badly!

[klaraau01]

and many happy and fragrant blooms from your stanhopea's next growing season!

[Andrew]

Kevin,
RE: baskets and Stanhopeas. I've read a few articles in various society journals that say that Stanhopea flowers tend to abort when they hit the slats in wooden slat baskets, reducing the spike count. Have you noticed any problems with the plastic baskets that you're using? I tend to foillow the advice of those articles and use wire baskets but it's difficult to find wire baskets small enough for plants of a similar size to yours.

[fred]

I have seen Stanhopeas in a wooden slat basket also the wire baskets
I have mine in wire baskets with sphagnum moss only

Andrew have you ever tried to cut and shut the wire basket to fit ?

I will see if I can get a pic of one mine so you can see its getting dark out side

edit I just went outside and brought one in to take a few pics so you can see

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I've read a few articles in various society journals that say that Stanhopea flowers tend to abort when they hit the slats in wooden slat baskets, reducing the spike count.

Interesting. I've never heard this before. All my stanhopeas except for 1 are nbs so I've not yet had the experience that would enable me to confirm or deny this claim. In the US I had one stanhopea that I flowered. It was in a teak basket and flowered fine, didn't abort any spikes.

Have you found aborted inflorescences in slatted baskets or have you never used them.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Have you found aborted inflorescences in slatted baskets or have you never used them.

No,I only use wire baskets. That's why I was curious to know how much of a problem it was. I've seen it mentioned in a few articles although I couldn't quote which ones. The reasoning that was given was that when a Stanhopea spike hits a surface that it can't push through, such as a basket slat, the spike will not change directon to move around it and thus the spike aborts as it would in a normal pot.

[kmarch]

Thanks for this info Andrew. I suppose we'll find out in due time. If my Stanhopeas never flower I'll know something's up. Good to post it though and have the discussion. Hmmmm...you got me thinking now...I wonder if maybe I should repot half of them into wire baskets.

And Fred....your stanhopeas shame me....

[fred]

Quote] And Fred....your stanhopeas shame me....
I would not say that Kevin
I have mine hanging in my cym house under 50% shade cloth
I would take a pic to show you but its dark outside

your wondering about changing some to wire baskets my opinion is yes I would

[janice]

Thanks kmarch, I bought one about a year ago....have it planted in a wire basket and am patiently waiting.....