Stanhopea ruckeri

Also known as: Information to be completed

A medium-sized epiphytic orchid with broadly elliptic, dark green, leathery leaves. The plant produces a clump of ovoid pseudobulbs (thickened stem on the base of each growth), which serve as a storage organ for water and nutrients. Each pseudobulb carries one large, stemmed leaf. Pendant flower stems emerge from the base of the basket in autumn and carry 4-7 waxy, 8cm large flowers. Each flower is pale cream or pale yellow with darker yellow centre and sweet, pleasantly scented. This orchid has evolved in a unique way - to perfectly mimic and deceive their pollinator. Downwards facing flowers are pollinated by male Euglossine bees (also called Orchid Bees) that confuse the flowers for females.

Scientific classification

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

Information to be completed
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 ruckeri pictures

Distribution of Stanhopea ruckeri

Distribution map

Mexico, Central America

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of Stanhopea ruckeri

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Stanhopea ruckeri care guide

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Watering: Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings

Fertilizing

Balanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer

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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