Essence of Stanhopea: Stanhopea Tigrina

Thursday, March 20, 2008

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.

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If you’ve tried growing everything from Aspidistras to Zinnias and you haven’t tried Stanhopea Orchids, you don’t know what you’re missing. They are easier to grow than African Violets and far more majestic than any other plant. The variety available boggles the mind …

Be warn, though, ever since their discovery by English explorers to Europe in the 18^th Century they have caused a “ Stanhopea mania” that continues to this day.

My own first Stanhopea orchid was Stanhopea Tigrina though I didn’t know it. Friend gave it to me as a birthday present – a trip to the library for some orchid’s books was quickly followed by the purchase of some more of these exotic, majestic, beautiful orchids and as they say – the fever had struck.

My fascination with orchids led to great friendships, lots and lots of reading, trips to exotic places (sometimes only through books) and the joy and frustration of growing the world’s most fabulous plants.

If you interested in purchasing Stanhopea orchids and reside in Australia, you can contact me on my email - stanhopea@lycos.com

My Stanhopea collection consists of over 50 different varieties and currently I have following Stanhopea's for sale:

Stanhopea Oculata
Stanhopea Tigrina
Stanhopea Tricornis x Insignis
Stanhopea Inodora x Wardii Aurea
Stanhopea Hernandezii
Stanhopea Jenishuana
Stanhopea Embreei
Stanhopea Spindleriana
Stanhopea Costarisensis
Stanhopea Nigroviolacea
Stanhopea Inodora x Wardii
Stanhopea Wardii Clear
Stanhopea Shuttleworthii
Stanhopea Jack Quigley
Stanhopea Warscewisciana
Stanhopea Bellarensis x Inodora
Stanhopea Florida Yellow
Stanhopea Tricornis

Also, drop me a line if you are looking for a particular variety.
Due to quranteen restrictions I can not ship plants overseas - only to Australia.

What Works For Me...

All of the known species of Stanhopea’s found in rainforests of South and Central America –some in the mountains and others in the valleys. They require humid, warm conditions to grow and to reproduce their beautiful flowers. Here in Australia we are fortunate to be able replicate their growing environment outdoor – our winters are mild and we don’t need (if we don’t want ) create special orchid houses or conservatories as our orchid friends do in Europe, Canada, US with controlled temperatures, humidifiers, mystifies, etc.. Still, the closer you can replicate their natural growing environment, the more they will reward you with their beautiful, unusual flowers.

Sadly, a lot of Stanhopea’s varieties are disappearing from their natural habitat and these days only existing in private collections. Since their discovery in the early 1800’s by British explorers many varieties are now extinct in the wild due to extensive and systematic land clearing in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela. As an orchid species certain varieties of Stanhopeas can only be reproduced by straight divisions of the plant and do not easily lend themselves to tissue culture reproduction like many other orchids, hence commanding of the high prices.

When you ready to plant your orchid, don't position the bulbs deep in the soil – some years they’ll send out flowering shoot through the top, instead of bottom of the plant and the flowers will be cascading instead of coming through the bottom of the containers.

Stanhopea orchids take approx. 7 years to mature and to start producing flowers and if your first Stanhopea was a seedling, it would take about that much time to start flowering.

Stanhopea orchids have to grow in open hanging baskets so that when they start flowering they can send their flower spikes through the sides and bottom of the planter. They usually start sending flower spikes in our Australian climate from about mid-November. The flower spike will be maturing for about 5-6 weeks, getting longer and thicker until you can actually start seeing flower pods and then one day the flowers will emerge with the most heavenly perfume.

The earlier flowering Stanhopea's will flower here in Sydney at about Christmas time and different varieties will flower later - anytime between January and mid-April. Flowers usually open for about 7 days and penetrate the whole house with their perfume. The scents of different varieties are - chocolate, vanilla, orange, nutmeg, cinnamon, mint, apricot, citrus, fruit, jasmine, lemon, cherry, medicine, etc...

Beautiful home for your treasured plants

Our planter’s range was created out of necessity - being an orchids collectors we looked everywhere for a suitable planters to display and enjoy our beautiful, majestic plants. We looked for something that would compliment all the work and enjoyment that goes into growing and raising orchids. All we could find poorly made, unappealing, held by wires that rusted after a few waterings, roughly put together, completely unsuitable to our Australian climate “planters” – so we decided to create and make our own.

Our planters constructed from treated pine and joined by galvanized nails. They are light, durable and look great indoor or outdoor. Great for mounting variety of orchids, ferns, bromeliads and many other of your favorite plants. Can be used with liner or by simply placing your favorite pot plant in a planter. They are also suitable for greenhouse, balconies, pergolas, patios, verandas.

The prices and sizes of our Planters are:

Large – 300mm x 300 mm x 180mm - AU $11

(12in x 12in x 7in)

Medium – 250mm x 250mm x 160mm - AU $8.50

(10in x 10in x 6 ¼ in)

Small – 195mm x 195mm x 130mm - AU $6

(7 ½ in x 7 ½ in x 5 in)

We also make special planters for Stanhopea’s with galvanized wire bottom. Our design ensuring that Stanhopea’s can send their flower shoots through the bottom of the basket. These planters available in same as above sizes with additional $2.50 for each ( Sm - $8.50, Med - $11, Lg - $13.50)

If you interested obtaining any of the above planters, we can be contacted via email – stanhopea@lycos.com

Essence of Stanhopea

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Stanhopea Tigrina

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What Works For Me...

Beautiful home for your treasured plants