Stanhopea embreei

Stanhopea embreei growing underneath
 trees in dappled shade

This species is native to moderate elevations 1,640-3,937 feet (500-1200 meters) of the western Andes in Ecuador and Peru.  It grows in moist cloud forests and is often subjected to cool winds and temperatures.  This species grows well outdoors in coastal southern California in part shade out of direct sun.  The leaves are wide and rather thin so they can be easily burned when subjected to too much sun or adversely affected by lack of water.  This is one of the earlier flowering species and can bloom as early as June to July.  Some forms have flowers with yellow blotches or reddish brown eye spots at the base of the petals. This form has its first inflorescence with only two flowers, but also has random single spots on some sepals. This species has a unique fragrance that is herbal and sweet. To me it smells like a mixture of sweet witch hazel and fresh basil, or a nice herbal liqueur like Becherovka!

Stanhopea embreei labellum and column detail

This orchid produces inflorescences from late spring to early summer with 3-7 flowers that are small (for the genus) 3.5 inches (8.75 cm) wide. The form shown in the photograph has flowers that are 4.4 inches (11.1 cm) wide.  These flowers are primarily white, often with a bright yellow hypochile, and a dark purple to reddish brown eye spot on the upper portion of the hypochile.  The flowers will often fade to an ivory color after a day or so.  The horns are rather short and narrow with purple to red small spots on the interior side.  The epichile is widely spade shaped and has small purple to red spots on the upper side.

This species would make a great addition to a Stanhopea collection with the beautiful flowers, unique fragrance and the added benefit of being one of the earlier blooming species.

Stanhopea Morphology

 

For many of you who grow Stanhopeas, the specific botanical terminology used to identify parts of orchid plants may not be particularly interesting.  However, several species of Stanhopea differ dramatically in physical characteristics.  I think it is always a good idea to know and learn as much as you can about the plants that you are growing to ensure you can accurately identify them to species.  This will give you a great advantage in knowing what conditions the plant would prefer, ensuring that the plant will grow to ultimate size and maturity, and providing you with several blooms.  It will also reduce the chances that you will purchase a plant and not be able to provide the proper conditions to allow the orchid to grow and bloom.

I will be using some botanical terminology from time to time to discuss the physical characteristics of these orchids, so I thought it would be appropriate to provide a post that outlines some of this terminolog.

Stanhopea anfracta flower

Orchids have four main parts to the flower and these include the sepals, petals, labellum (lip), and column. The sepals in Stanhopeas are some of the largest flower structures and are the outer most portion of the flower. The next inner structures are the petals, which are usually thin and often ribbon-like and twist or roll back when the flower is mature. The next inner structure  is the lip which has three parts. The upper portion of the lip that is connected to the rest of the flower is called the hypochile, and is often rounded, cupped, or cylindrical. This is the part of the orchid where the fragrance is produced. The central portion of the lip is called the mesochile and is usually a short piece of tissue that usually has two projections attached to it that are called horns (absent in the hornless species). The lower portion of the lip is called the epichile and is usually spade shaped or tri-lobed depending on the species.   

 

The column in orchids is the organ where the reproductive parts are placed, is the union of both male and female structures, and is the innermost structure.  In Stanhopeas, the column is an elongated cylindrical organ that creates a tight space between the horns and epichile that allows the pollinating insect to be positioned so that the pollen cap is removed, and the pollen sac deposited on the back of the insect. This action also opens access to the stigma to allow pollination to occur by the next insect carrying a pollen sac.



Stanhopea graveolens pseudobulb

Stanhopeas have pseudobulbs that sit at the surface of growing medium and are often rounded or egg shaped. These storage organs are used to store water and nutrients for the plant. The larger the pseudobulb, the more mature the plant is, and the more likely that the pseudobulb will produce an inflorescence (flower stalk). At the top of the pseudobulb is the cylindrical base of the leaf called a petiole, and at the top of that is the blade of the leaf. Below the pseudobulb, roots are produced to allow the plant up take up nutrients and water.

Stanhopea embreei leaf

Leaves of Stanhopeas can be large and widely lanceolate in shape or smaller and almost linear.  Stanhopea leaves can be rather thick and leathery or in some species thin and delicate.  The larger leaved and thin leaved species ( e.g., S. embreei and S. insignis) seem to tolerate less sun, while the narrow and leathery leaved species (e.g., S. oculata and S. tigrina) tolerate a bit more sun, though they can still burn easily in part day sun. Part shade to full shade is best for most species, and I have found an hour or two of very early morning sun tolerated by most species.

Stanhopea Culture....the beginning

Stanhopea wardii

       The Stanhopea culture blog has been started to encourage the horticultural practices of growing and enjoying the orchid genus Stanhopea, and other related genera. This blog focuses on experiences, questions, and concerns regarding Stanhopea horticulture. I have been growing these orchids outdoors and in lath houses for the last 19 years in southern California.
       Stanhopeas are rather easy to grow and bloom under standard garden conditions in my region, as long as water and shade are provided to them.  Several species easily grow outdoors including the rather showy S. tigrina, S. oculata, and S. wardii.  Several of the so called “primitive” hornless Stanhopeas don’t perform well outdoors in southern California (e.g., S. annulata and S.pulla),  and also members of the Stanhopea candida group. These other species prefer warmer growing conditions of the tropics or a greenhouse.
       Stanhopeas are native to Mexico through South America.  Several species grow in mountain regions of Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia that are often subjected to lower night temperatures from 45-55 F.  This may account for the ability of these species to tolerate the cooler night temperatures in southern California along the coast.  These orchids also tolerate higher summer temperatures of 80-95 F in the summer as long as they are provided extra water (sometimes every day if the temperatures are above 90F).  These orchids thrive in part to full shade throughout the year, thus preventing discoloration and burning of the leaves.
       Try growing a Stanhopea in your garden, it will reward you with exotic summer/fall blooms every year!