Stanhopea oculata var mexicana Fowlie

Here is another stanhopea from my collection – stanhopea oculata var mexicana Fowlie. Even though it’s very old variety, being around since 1830’s, not many plants of this variety seen in cultivation.

It’s a beautiful stanhopea with very delicate dramatic looking flowers – distinct bright pink spots on pristine white color background with strong heady vanilla/spices scent.

At the end of flowering season, in early autumn my plant always sends out a few spikes with 4 or 5 flowers on each spike. This orchid would be much desired addition to any stanhopea collection.

Stanhopea Wardii x Assidensis

This orchid is recent addition to my ever-expanding stanhopea collection – it’s a beautiful cross of stanhopea Wardii x Assidensis. The flowers are huge white/ yellow with many specks through the flowers and the flowers have this pastel luminous effect. The scent heavenly marshmallow, strong and penetrating. The plant is very vigorous and sends many flower spikes during growing season.

Majority of my stanhopea’s finished its flowering season, but we will have another couple of months of good growing weather and all of my plants at the moment growing with increased rate, many more leaves and bulbs developing and forming in preparation for the next magic stanhopea’s growing season.

Stanhopea embreei x wardii

This beautiful stanhopea is another lovely cross from my collection. I’ve acquired it quite a few years ago and every year it flowers when all other stanhopea’s finished its flowering season.

It’s quite vigorous grower and consistently sends multiple flower spikes every season with 4 or 5 flowers on every spike. The coloring is pastel yellow/white with pale yellow centre and dark small eyes with tiny spots. The scent is mild vanilla that lingers about for a long time.

Here in Sydney we are at the end of stanhopea’s flowering season and all of my plants busy at the moment with developing new growth and new leaf’s.

Stanhopea graveolens

Being discovered in 1840’s in high altitudes of forests of Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala, stanhopea graveolens remains firm favorite orchid with stanhopea growers all over the world. Its one of the easiest to grow varieties that once starts flowering rewards one year after year with large showy flowers.

My stanhopea graveolens always flowering at the beginning of autumn when majority of stanhopea’s in my collection finished its blooming season. The flowers are large and the scent (uniformly agreed upon by anyone who smells it) reminds of “mothballs” – strong, penetrating and long-lingering.

One of the Nature’s creations, I am sure, to preserve its genetic makeup and to be pollinated by a specific moth that finds “mothballs” scent irresistible - and for the collector another special stanhopea.

Stanhopea Wardii aurea x Inodora

Mid-season flowering stanhopea’s now blooming in my garden and one of them is this beautiful stanhopea Wardii aurea x Inodora. I’ve had this variety for many years now and every year it flowering at the end of February with these stunning delicate flowers.

The plant and flowers are large with white/yellow and darker burgundy color spots and the scent is very strong vanilla/spicy. It’s a beautiful and special orchid to have in one’s collection.

Here in Sydney we are at the end of summer now and our weather can be unpredictable – we had number of very hot days followed by about a week of cooler temperatures and heavy rains and now back to warm days again. I am making sure that my plants do not dry out and fertilize them weekly to encourage more leaves, bulbs and flowers.

Stanhopea pseudoradiosa

This stanhopea is one of the stunning orchids in the stanhopea range and I’ve been waiting for a while now to see its gorgeous flowers. Its just flowered revealing its majestic flamboyant flowers.

It’s native to Mexico and not often seen in cultivation. The flowers have this luminous quality to them and of rather large size with strong marshmallow scent. The colors are bright orange/green with tiny specs all over the flower.

My plant is of medium size and this is its first flowering season, so I’ve been looking forward seeing it being in flower.

Stanhopea spp.ornatissima

This beautiful stanhopea is rather rare, not often seen and another recent addition to my collection. It grows in hot humid forests of Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and mid-season flowering variety for our climate.

Its flowers are huge with beautiful burgundy color marks and scent is very strong vanilla/cinnamon. The flowers are quite hard and fleshy, but appear very delicate and graceful.

This season it developed four flower spikes with four flowers on each spike making it quite a display of flowers and scents. This orchid is much desired addition to any stanhopea collection.

Stanhopea wardii var Taylor El Toro

Another flowered stanhopea from my collection. This beautiful orchid not often seen in cultivation even though it’s been around since 1970’s. It displays very large, luminous flowers with strong, heady spicy/ cinnamon scent.

The flowers are quite beautiful and showy in white/yellow/green tones with small dark orange specs distributed all over and the plant that is vigorous and large.

For our climate, its mid-season flowering stanhopea, currently flowering and developing new leaves at same time making it great addition to any stanhopea collection.

Stanhopea oculata

Another one of my stunning stanhopea’s currently in flower – stanhopea oculata. It’s native to hot humid forests of Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and it flowers with these showy large vanilla scented waxy flowers.

This season each flowering spike developed five flowers but oculata can carry up to 9 flowers, making quite a spectacle of color, textures and scents.

More spikes are developing on my plant hence more flowers later on of this popular, attractive and handsome stanhopea.

Stanhopea Posadarum

This beautiful stanhopea orchid is a newcomer into stanhopea world – it’s only recently been discovered in Colombia and as far as I know two clones of stanhopea Posadarum currently in existence. I have both of them and this one the first one that flowered in my collection.

I am not new to stanhopea cultivation and seen many rare stanhopea plants, but even then was surprised by Posadarum’s sheer bold beauty, primeval energy , spectacular and fascinating appearance and magical scented flowers. There is nothing modest about Posadarum – this is the stanhopea with “an attitude”!

Its started sending four flower spikes about 3 weeks ago and gradually, as they were maturing I could see that each spike had 8 (eight !) flowers. As the flowers were growing on the spike, they started changing their color – from dark to pale green to light then dark yellow. When flowers started opening up early this week, Posadarum revealed its beauty – rich dark orange with lighter orange and dark velvety burgundy spots. The flowers appear delicate, but actually quite fleshy and waxy. The scent - lemon sherbet – very strong, citrusy with slight butter undertones and lingers around for a long time.

I am absolutely delighted having privilege of witnessing this new, rare and unusual stanhopea, looking forward seeing more flowers as they maturing and learning more about this new variety.

Embreea rodigasiana – the close relative

This beautiful orchid closely related to stanhopea’s and in fact, until about 1980’s was called stanhopea rodigasiana, but then been re-classified as a separate genus.


The difference is in the number of inflorescences and horns– stanhopea’s producing multiple number of flowers on each spike and embreea’s carry only one flower. These orchids native to Colombia and Ecuador and growing in very wet, misty clouded forests and in cultivation have to grow in open planters, just as stanhopea’s.


Early this morning another flower opened on my embreea rodigasiana and I took this picture to capture its beautiful flower. The flower spike is about 30cm long and the flower is rather large and fleshy, creamy with burgundy color spots on petals. The scent is very strong and spicy and reminds me of combination of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. My plant currently developing more flower spikes and I am anticipating seeing more of these rare and dramatic flowers.

Stanhopea tigrina var Glory of Mexico

Another stanhopea’s flowering season is upon us in southern hemisphere and I am sure many growers and collectors anxiously awaiting emergence of new flowering spikes, anticipating seeing beautiful majestic flowers, even for a short while.

This winter and spring I was able to increase my collection further by a few new to me species and varieties and one of them flowered early this afternoon.

This one is stanhopea tigrina, var Glory of Mexico – beautiful addition to my ever expanding stanhopea’s plants collection. The flowers of this variety huge when open - I’ve measured it being over 24 cm across, dark burgundy middle of the flower gradually turning into the lighter and then pure pristine white color on the end of petals. The scent, like with all tigrinas, very strong, heady vanilla and plant is very vigorous - even as it’s flowering, it’s developing new leaves.

Currently, another 2 flower spikes developing on the other side of the basket, so as usual, I am looking forward seeing more of this huge flowering beauty.

Stanhopea orchid – power of the flower spike

Its summer here in Sydney and my stanhopea orchids started growing flower spikes through the bottom and sides of planters. As usual during this time they require care and attention – our weather is quite erratic at this time of the year and hot and humid days followed by thunderstorms and tropical rains and winds. For me, it’s full on watering/ fertilizing routine, making sure that what appears like “delicate” flower spikes are not damaged during this time.

Its never sees to amaze me, this power of their flowering spikes. I know that many stanhopea orchid growers and collectors worry that when flower spike in its growth hits the side of the planter or when it touches any part of the basket, it can stop growing. From my experience, nothing is further from the truth…

Over the years I have seen this sheer determination and force of stanhopea’s flowering spikes to push through any object in their way to break through the orchid compost. I’ve had stanhopea plants growing in normal black plastic pots with spike winding around inside of the pot 3, 4 times and finally coming through the bottom of the pot through drainage holes – quite a site to see.

This year, one of my stanhopea plants that growing in wire basket sent out flowering shoot that hit the wire – so she’s simply turned around and kept growing and looking for an opening until it found it. I’ve captured it in the photos.

As usual during this time of the year there is a lot of anticipation in seeing these beautiful orchids flowering – early flowering varieties busy sending flowering shoots, mid season and later flowering varieties growing new leaves at amazing rate and I am looking forward to another wonderful flowering season.

Stanhopea orchids – mature plants vs. seedlings

Over the years I’ve had many times an opportunity to purchase stanhopea’s orchids flasks or very small seedlings and always reluctant to do it. The reason is of course because it takes such a long time to raise plants from flasking or seedling stage.

On the picture I’ve captured stanhopea’s seedlings at various growth stage – one year old, two year old, three and four years old ones. As you can see, they are very far from flowering stage.


Stanhopea orchids take approx 7 years to mature and to start flowering and raising stanhopeas from small seedling requires a lot of patience and dedication. Patience – because one can not harry up Nature and it will take as long as it takes for the plants to mature. Dedication – because during these 7 years of growth plants will require a lot of maintenance and looking after. The changing weather conditions, changes of seasons, insects, snails and fungus can destroy precious seedlings overnight, and if anything, personally I would not recommend raising stanhopea’s from seedlings to a beginner.

At times, certain variety only available as a small un-flowered seedling and in that case, if you have to have it ( as we all do), go ahead and purchase it, providing you prepared to spend a lot of care and attention on that seedling. Mature flowered stanhopea plants will always cost more than seedlings, but reward of seeing your plant with beautiful scented flowers in spring or summer and discovering its essence and its place in Nature will bring you joy and happiness beyond belief.

Stanhopea orchids – time to wake up!

It spring here in Sydney and all of my stanhopea orchids started growing new shoots after couple of months of winter slumber. The weather is quite warm, which means I am staring again my watering and fertilizing routine.

While the weather is mild, I water my orchids every couple of weeks, making sure orchids compost saturated. At times we get strong tropical rains and I postpone my watering until they a bit drier.

All of my stanhopeas growing in open hanging planters – they love a lot of moisture and then drying period – it seems to stimulate their growth more.



Over the years I’ve tested many planters for my plants and out of necessity designed planters especially suitable for orchids and especially for my stanhopea collection. I was after planters that could simulate this wet/dry cycles and at the same time looking practical and beautiful. I am fortunate to have husband who can actually bring all of my thoughts and designs into reality and to produce for me planters that can bring out the majestic beauty of stanhopea’s for enjoyment of these magical orchids. Our latest design shown here and if you are interested in purchasing these planters you can contact me via email.





During spring time I fertilize my stanhopea’s monthly and use liquid fertilizers – fish, seaweed, worm tea, etc – from my personal experience they seems to respond better to liquid organic feeds. I know that slow release fertilizers are very popular these days, but I found that my stanhopea’s respond better to natural liquid feeds and in our weather that can turn quite hot suddenly, if I miss watering slow release granules can burn roots and bulbs, so I always play safe and stay away from them.

Stanhopea orchids – winter care

Winter for stanhopea’s is a resting period, although new leaves are still developing and plants are still growing at a slower rate then during other months. (Picture showing new leaf starting to grow during winter).

In winter months stanhopea orchids require less watering – just occasional misting of leaves and bulbs so that they do not dry out. One exception though is stanhopea Jenishiana species and crosses – this variety really prefer to be dry during winter months. From my personal experience I’ve found if its wet during colder weather, it will not form proper flowers during flowering time – it will still send flowering shoots through the side and bottom of planters, but these shoots will not form any flowers. So if you have any Jenishiana’s in your collection keep them dry during winter and start watering them when the weather warms up in spring.

Because of our mild climate, all of my stanhopeas growing outside, but by trial and error over the years I’ve noted that some varieties prefer slightly warmer situations during winter month. Ecornuta, grandiflora, tricornis, warscewicziana, pulla, napoensis – these ones appreciate more sheltering in winter.

My fertilizing routine is non-existent during winter – I give my plants complete rest and do not start fertilizing until early spring when they start developing new flower spikes.

Stanhopea orchids – natural slug and snail control

With onset of cold and wet autumn and winter there is a need for easy and effective control of slugs and snails. These pests love to munch on the tips of emerging shoots and really favor young flower buds. All orchids growers looking for an effective means of controlling them, and Stanhopea growers are no exception – its painful waiting for beautiful flowers to emerge once a year and then to lose it overnight to a hungry snail!

Whether your stanhopea’s growing outside, under the shade of the trees or in a greenhouse due to the weather restrictions – at times we all need to exercise snail and slug control. We all tried commercial pellets and all agree that they less than satisfactory for long term use – with frequent watering of stanhopea plants pellets become moldy and unsightly, dangerous to house pets and wildlife. We all also tried beer, eggshells, lime, wood shavings, sawdust, etc – great for the dry plants, completely unsuitable for stanhopea’s and other orchids that need frequent waterings.

I’ve done some extensive research and found that there is natural and effective remedy and it’s called “mustard meal” – or in other words, grinded mustard seeds. I’ve been using it on my stanhopea orchids for a number of years, and never looked back – its natural, its effective, and it works. Mustard meal been used in organic gardening to control pests, nematodes, fungi and here in Australia can be purchased through Yandilla Mustard Seed Oil Pty Ltd. If you live outside of Australia, check with your local mustard seed oil producers – they may be able to supply you with this natural effective product.

Another way is of course, make it yourself. Visit your local health food store and ask if they have in stock or can order for you bulk quantity of mustard seeds – you would only need small quantity at the time – 100/200g and grind them yourself in coffee or spice grinder. You can also purchase them in the supermarkets in herbs and spices sections, but they usually only sold in 25/30g small packets.

Sprinkle grinded mustard seeds into your orchid compost when you planting and replanting your orchids, on the top of the orchid soil to control slugs and snails, top up any time when its rainy weather and enjoy seeing your beautiful stanhopea plants and flowers in its majestic glory.

Stanhopea Ecornuta

Well, it’s quite late in the season, but my Stanhopea Ecornuta flowering now. This is very interesting and rather rare variety from Costa Rica. This stanhopea variety classified as “primitive” or “hornless” stanhopea, due to its twin flowers facing each other. The trick with this variety is not to plant its bulbs deep in the orchid compost and to plant it high up so it can send its very short flower spike very close to the bulb. The flowers will open up very close to the base of the plant. The scent of this Stanhopea is strong spicy and even though flowers appear delicate, they are quite hard and waxy. Beautiful addition to any Stanhopea collection, especially since its one of late flowering Stanhopea’s.

Stanhopea Insignis x Self

One of my late-flowering Stanhopeas in flower at the moment – Stanhopea Insignis x Self – one of the beautiful multi-colored stanhopeas in my collection. The colors are pale yellow/purple and the scent is strong cinnamon. For me, it’s always flowering late in the season, and always rewarding me with these large, beautiful, majestic blooms. Its vigorous variety and sends multiple flower spikes – this year its sending 6 flower spikes with 4 flowers on each spike and the one’s in the picture the first one opened. It’s always nice to have late-flowering stanhopeas in any collection and to enjoy these dramatic, beautiful orchids later in the season.

Stanhopea Tigrina

I’ve got surprise from one of my beautiful Stanhopea’s – Stanhopea Tigrina. About 4 weeks ago we had few days of quite heavy rain and this plant decided to send another flower spike. Quite unusual, because it’s already flowered very early this season and I did not expected it to flower again this year. But here it is – Stanhopea Tigrina in flower mid March. This variety is “old favorite” and loved all over the world for its beautiful flowers and very strong vanilla scent.

Stanhopea Tricornis x Insignis

Well, it’s March, beginning of autumn and here in Sydney days getting cooler and my Stanhopea Tricornis x Insignis just opened its flowers. This cross has very beautiful, very delicate sculptured flowers with strong jasmine scent. At this stage it’s developed 3 flower spikes and sent them through the sides of the planter. Each spike has 4 flowers and I always enjoy seeing beautiful stanhopea flowers later in growing season. Last year this variety was flowering well into the end of autumn and I am looking forward seeing more flower spikes.

Stanhopea Wardii

Stanhopea Wardii

Another of my Stanhopea’s flowering at the moment – Stanhopea Wardii. This variety been around since 1838 since its discovery in Colombian forests and remains popular with Stanhopea collectors all over the world for its beautiful yellow/orange vanilla scented flowers. This variety producing medium-sizes flowers but more than compensate for it with its reliability and yearly abundance of flowers. I repotted this stanhopea in early spring and once it’s established in its planter, it’s started sending flower spikes. It sent 3 x flower spikes from the sides of the planter with 5 flowers on each spike. Stanhopea Wardii is mid-season flowering variety here in Sydney and my personal “old favorite”.

Stanhopea Warcewiczii

Stanhopea Warcewiczii

Mid last year I’ve acquired this stanhopea and have been waiting for a while to see its beautiful flowers . Its flowering now and its Stanhopea Warcewizii var “Bonnie”. The flowers are pale lemon color and the closer I can describe its scent as strong pine resign mixed with all spice. This one is mid-season flowering orchid producing very nice, compact medium size flowers. At this stage the plant is not big and developed only one flower spike with 3 flowers and its very nice addition to my Stanhopea collection.

Stanhopea Spindleriana

My stanhopea Spindleriana flowering at the moment. This one is one of the rare and unusual varieties and rather hard to find. Its opened its flowers this morning and this year it’s developed 3 flower spikes with 6 flowers on each spike. The flowers are beautiful pale cream with burgundy color spots and the scent is heavenly marshmallow/vanilla scent. Stanhopea Spindleriana is registered hybrid between Stanhopea Oculata and Stanhopea Tigrina and one of the beautiful majestic orchids from the Stanhopea range.

Stanhopea Wardii Clear

Flowers everywhere – my beautiful Stanhopea Wardii Clear opening its flowers this morning. This one is quite a large plant and currently has 18 flower spikes coming through the bottom and all sides of the planter. This variety have huge, crisp, luminous waxy flowers without any spots and flowers appear looking like porcelain beautiful individual sculptures. The color is white/yellow with green tones and the scent is very very spicy. This orchid going to flower for a while with more and more flowers opening up.

Stanhopea Inodora x Wardii Aurea

One more variety opened up its flowers this morning – Stanhopea Inodora x Wardii Aurea. Its flowers look very delicate, yet quite large and strong. This variety usually keeping its flowers longer than usual 6-7 days. The scent of this cross is old fashion medicine mixed with spice. More flower spikes coming through the other sides of planter and I am looking forward seeing its beautiful flowers for a while.

Stanhopea Wardii Aurea

Another variety of my Stanhopea opened its flowers today – Stanhopea Wardii Aurea. This Stanhopea native to Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela. This orchid is nicely sized with very pleasing strong vanilla scent.

The flowers are showy deep yellow with small purple spots. Flowers are large and nicely fragrant. This season it’s developed 5 flower spikes and the one in the picture the first one opened. Other flower spikes are still very small at this stage so I will be enjoying long flowering period from this variety.

Stanhopea Nigroviolacea

The flowers of my Stanhopea Nigroviolacea opened up this morning. This one is one beautiful Stanhopea’s native to Central America. This variety remains popular with collectors since its discovery in 1838 in Mexican tropical forests. This variety producing spectacular burgundy/cream highly perfumed chocolate/vanilla scented, waxy flowers. The scent is very strong and penetrates the whole house, some people find it even overbearing, but I love its chocolate/vanilla smell. This variety was the very first of my Stanhopea’s, it’s the one that started “stanhopea fever” for me. More than 20 years on and its still rewarding me with its majestic flowers every summer without fail.

Stanhopea Wardii x Inodora in flower

This morning my Stanhopea Wardii x Inodora flowering – its flowers are large, beautiful waxy with strong scent of spice and old fashion medicine. The greenish tingle on the flowers are from Inodora parent and yellow color with spots are from Wardii.

This cross showing one of the most beautiful, delicate colorings and I am enjoying its flowers and its perfume. This year this Stanhopea sent 7 flower spikes – the one in the picture is the first one that opened and I am looking forward to its extended flowering period.

Anticipation Time

For us who grow Stanhopea orchids in Australia, Christmas time is the most exiting period with a lot of anticipation – the earlier varieties starting sending flower spikes through the sides and bottom of the planters. This will continue until about March – April when later flowering varieties start growing their flowers. Even though the flowers short-lived, it’s possible to surround yourself with flowering Stanhopeas for a few months each year.

New Growth

New flower shoots growing through the bottom and sides of planters

Stanhopea Bellarensis flowering now

Today my Stanhopea Bellarensis opened its flowers and the whole house is penetrating with heavenly vanilla/ cinnamon scent.

For the past week or so I’ve been watching its 2 x flower spikes growing and flower pods getting bigger and bigger and this morning it rewarded me with these majestic beautiful flowers. Stan. Bellarensis is a hybrid between Stan.Insignis and Stan. Oculata and its certainly exhibiting characteristics of both its parents.