Stanhopea oculata

Also known as: Information to be completed

A medium to large-sized epiphytic orchid with broadly elliptic, dark green, leathery leaves. The plant produces a clump of pseudobulbs (thickened part of stem at the base of each growth), which serve as a storage organ for water and nutrients. Each pseudobulbs bears one large, up to 45cm long and 14cm wide leaf. Pendant flower stems emerge from the base of the basket in summer or autumn and carry waxy, maroon-spotted, light yellow, cream or white flowers. Each flower measures 12cm across and produces a heavy, pleasant sweet fragrance. The flowers are short-lived, lasting only 2-4 days, but large plants produce many racemes that flower in succession. These orchids have evolved in a unique way - to perfectly mimic a deceive their pollinators. Downwards facing flowers are pollinated by male Euglossine bees (also called Orchid Bees) that confuse the flowers for females.

Scientific classification

Species: Stanhopea oculata (Stanhopea oculata)
Genus: Stanhopea
Family: Orchidaceae

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Toxicity: Conservatory Greenhouse
Plant type: 0.1-0.5 metres
Height: 0.5-1 metres
Spread: Evergreen
Foliage: Clump forming
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Season of interest: Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Stanhopea oculata pictures

Distribution of Stanhopea oculata

Distribution map

Mexico to Southern America

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of Stanhopea oculata

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Stanhopea oculata care guide

Maintain constantly lightly moist orchid bark substrate
Watering: Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Maintain constantly lightly moist orchid bark substrate

Fertilizing

Extremely diluted orchid feed biweekly throughout warm seasons

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove spent flowers after flowering.

Propagation

Propagation by seed is only possible in a controlled laboratory environment. Mature plants may be divided when the plant overgrows its container. Each division should have at least 3 older pseudobulbs with a sufficient amount of stored energy and water, to support new growth and reduce stress after repotting.

Growing

Grow in a hanging basket lined with moss, in an open, bark-based orchid compost with addition of perlite and sphagnum moss. Provide enough bright filtered light, but keep away from direct sunlight or a heating source. May be grown in intermediate to warm conditions with temperatures between 12-30 °C. Seasonal and daily fluctuation of temperatures encourage flowering. Average humidity of 50-70% is sufficient and watering should be frequent enough during growing season (approximately once per week), with being reduced by half during winter months. Large specimens produce best flowering, however it is desirable to repot plants every few years to avoid stale, disintegrated potting mix.

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