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Sobralia
The plants are more commonly terrestrial, but are also found growing epiphytic,
There are approximately 100 Sobralia species found throughout Central and South America, perhaps 40-50 in Colombia alone. The plants are usually medium to tall terrestrials, rarely ephiphytes, with reedlike stems and plicate leaves. The flowers range in color from white through yellow, orange, pink, purple, and red, with some coerulea varieties known. The inflorescenses occur terminally or laterally from the upper leaf axils, and there are eight pollinia. The taxonomy of this genus is not well-settled, and the correct nomenclature for the white sobralias is particularly challenging
Light:
Medium to high from 2,500 to 5,000 foot candles. During summer months this plant loves being outdoors in a somewhat protected area with dappled sunlight or early morning sun. When the plant is first moved out of doors it should be slowly adjusted to stronger light. These can be grown under high pressure sodium fixtures within 3 feet of the bul
Temperature:
These plants are somewhat adaptable for temperatures. Daytime temps in nature can range from 75-90 F 24-32 C or warmer. Night temps can vary depending on time of year. In winter months the temps should be 60 F 14 C or colder but not below 50 F 10 C. Summer temps can be warmer.Grow in partial to full sun usually in cool to warm temperatures temperatures of 55-60 F 14-16 C at night and 65-75 F 18-24 C during the day,
Humidity:
50% or higher is ideal. The use of humidity trays or room humidifiers is beneficial. Less humidity is acceptable during winter months. with humidity of 50%. Give the plant bright sun or high artificial light 14 to 16 hours a day. Grow in 2 parts coarse peat moss, 2 parts sandy loam and 1 part each perlite and fir bark. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, during the growing period, reduce watering for a month or more when leaves have finished growing.
Water:
It is best to use rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water. Municipal water with a pH of 7.5 or lower can also be used. Water as the mix approaches dryness but do not allow the mix to become completely dry between watering. Sobralias need tons of water during the growing and flowering season so it is really hard to over water them. Once fall hits and the growths have hardened off the mix can become almost dry between waterings.
Fertilize :
Do not, however, allow the soil to dry out completely. Once a week fertilize with a balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 diluted to half the strength recommended on the label. Plants can be grown in sandy soil or bark with perlite. Keep the mix moist but not wet during growing season. Reduce watering after leaves develop. Never let the mix dry out for long periods
Flowering:
The stems supporting the flowers are 5 feet high with oval, pleated leaves and short racemes of flowers being individually large, 6 inches across, aromatic, of a beautiful rich purple and crimson, the sepals oblong, the petals broader and crispy in the upper part, and the lip folded round the column at the base. It blooms during the summer months starting in June and flowers successively, each flower lasting for three days in perfection. Many flowers are produced.
Repotting:
This genus loves water at the roots so a small bark, coconut husk or coir (coco peat) mix is best. Repot after flowering. Large plants with many growths can be divided but make sure to leave6 to 8 growths per division. Keep slightly drier for the first 10 days after repotting.
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Stanhopea
Stanhopea Species List
These epiphytic, but occasionally terrestrial orchids can be found in damp forests from Mexico to NW Argentine
Stanhopeas are epiphytes that bear the most dramatic looking incredible flowers with intricate and complex structures and mechanisms for pollination, from channeled "walkways" for insects, to buckets of a watery solution. All have inflorescences that grow downward, so the plants must be potted in hanging baskets with 1~2" slats spacings at bottom or similar containers. Most flowers are spicily fragrant, and although the flowers are short-lived, each plant may produce many inflorescences throughout the year. Stanhopeas are endemic to the New World ( Central and South America and the Carribeans) Those found in Mexico requires some dry spell in order to flower. Just like the Cymbidiums, when buying Stanhopeas, look for 3 or more pseudobulbs. The more pseudobulbs, the greater the likelihood of flowering in a short time. The usual Stanhopeas seen in the wild have few pseudobulbs.
I find Stanhopeas are very rewarding orchids to grow if only for the perfume. If you pass the bush house and there is a Stanhopea in flower you can smell it long before you can find it in the bush house. If you haven't tried them before I would certainly recommend them if you want an orchid that is different Stanhopeas need high humidity and frequent watering with weak fertiliser in summer. Reduce watering in winter but don't let them dry out,Stanhopeas are best grown in a wire basket. Those slatted wooden baskets look nice but flower-spikes often hit the slats and don't find their way out.Stanhopea flowers are also very short lived, typically two or three days at most. Knowing that the flowers are probably of short duration doesn't lessen their appeal to me. Some plants have very long-lived flowers which, after a time, are ignored and go unnoticed by me, becoming a part of the background. Stanhopea flowers accost me with their bizarre beauty and aroma so that I can't miss them. I suspect that they would become oppressive after a time and would lose their appeal if they lasted too long. By Friday afternoon the flowers had gone by. Because of other pressing events I didn't get a chance to take a picture of them.
Light:
should be bright, with direct sunlight diffused so as not to burn the leaves.Most growers suspend these orchids due to their pendulous inflorescences. This also brings the plants closer to the light. Light levels approximating those for cattleyas, around 3,000 foot-candles, are best
Temperature:
should be moderate: 52-60 F 12-16 C. at night, with day temperatures 68-75 F 20-24 C in the winter. Plants can stand short spells of higher temperatures,but air movement, humidity and shading must all be increased. Many species flower in the summer, and putting them outside in the summer may be beneficial. Move into higher light slowly to avoid burn.water in ample quantities is important to produce strong pseudobulbs and prevent foliar spotting. Stanhopeas and their relatives can be sensitive to salt accumulation in the medium, so should never be allowed to dry out entirely, even during the winter months when growth may slow or stop. Poor watering habits are also conducive to root loss in these types, and some may be very slow to re-establish once they have lost their roots.
Humidity:
should be kept at 40% to 75%, and at high levels especially when temperatures are high. Frequent misting reduces the chance of mite and insect infection; at the same time, strong air movement must be provided to prevent spotting of the foliage.
Air movement is very important to Stanhopeas. In Summer, my happiest plants are the ones hanging outside in the frangipani tree. Of the Stanhopeas in the glasshouse, the ones right in front of the fan do best.
Fertilize :
at regular intervals. Most growers fertilize with a diluted concentration every week to two weeks. For plants in bark, use a 30-10-10 high-nitrogen ormulation, alternating with a 20-20-20 balanced formulation; in the blooming season, which is mainly summer, use a 10-30-20 blossom-booster formulation. Plants grown in osmunda need fertilization only infrequently.
Repotting:
is done best right after summer flowering, as most plants seem to grow year round. Plants that rest in the winter can be repotted in the spring. The best flowerings come from large clumps of plants, so large baskets are usually used. An airy, yet moist medium seems to work best, such as medium-grade fir bark (often mixed with sphagnum peat) or osmunda fiber. Vigorous plants may need repotting every three years or so.
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