stanhopia again
 

I have a dozen or so Stan Costarricesis I bought in flask from Costa
Rica. They are about a year old out of flask. Some are in compot with
bark,moss,and charcoal. Some are in small plastic with just moss and
perlite at the bottom. They were very slow to start when first
deflasked because I had to much light on them. Costas supposedly grow
in almost total shade. Once I filtered the light with sheets of
plastic they took off like gangbusters. No real rest period that I
have seen yet. Also mine seem to drink a whole lot of water. They get
misted twice a day and watered every week, then with 1/4 strength
20-20-20 urea free once a month. Next month they are all going into
wire baskets lined in the bottom with a couple of sheets of newspaper
( I work at a newspaper so I can get newspaper with no ink on it, but
all the ink now is vegetable based so it shouldn't harm plants) and
just moss for there roots (witch are huge now). There is a lot of
Stanhopia info out there (you didn't say witch flavor you had) Also
check this link for quick ref. and pictures. Enjoy
http://www.orchidspecies.com/
AIN'T GROWIN GRAND!




On Mon, 27 Jan 2003 01:49:30 GMT, "Diane Mancino"
wrote:

I have a stanhopia NBS, and wonder if anyone here has any experience growing
one. They are quite unusual with the blooms growing out of the bottom of the
plant, so definitely a basket orchid. I read not to put it in a wooden slat
basket, but yes to a wire basket so the stems could push through easy.

For me, I might as well have bought a plastic plant, it is as dormant as the
day it arrived. I have it in asmonda moss, and it was in a large 8"wire
basket- that seemed too big for a small orchid plant that would fit in a 4"
pot. I couldn't decide what container to use so yesterday I took a plastic
pot and cut the bottom out and with florist wire, secured the Stanhopia in
the pot in asmunda. It doesnt need to be hung yet, but could easily be this
way. It needs to be watered a few times a week. how long are the stems to
these flowers, ie how deep a container or moss should I have. Roots were
good- white, but no rot. Maybe these are really slow growers.

Diane