Stanhopea wardii - yellowing pbulb

[Roberta]

When a spike like this looks like it is being restricted by the pot, I cut the pot around it (plastic mesh baskets are cheap...) The restricting part of the basket is easy to clip away, to make a bigger hole.

[rbarata]

So, do you think I should cut it?

---------- Post added at 06:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:33 PM ----------

Well, if this basket had a lot of holes...now it has three less.

---------- Post added at 08:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:51 PM ----------

One more question...how much it usually take from this stage to full bloom?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

One more question...how much it usually take from this stage to full bloom?

I think maybe a month or two. they vary. So patience...Mine usually doesn't bloom until some time in September, but I'm sure that there is a lot of variation due to growing conditions and the particular plant. (Mine has the cultivar name "Los vientos Encinitas", and it didn't mean much to me until it bloomed when the hot desert winds, that we get every year in late summer/early autumn, were blowing violently... and I realized that it originally came from a grower who lived in Encinitas, a bit north of San Diego. Very aptly named)

I actually managed to take a video of one of the flowers opening - it's real time, the whole process takes less than two minutes once it starts. Stanhopea wardii opens - YouTube

[rbarata]

That's a really interesting video... I suppose you were lucky to catch the flowers opening.

My division came from Madeira Island, well known for its orchids. They sell thousands at the market. This one was brought by my mother when my parents went there 3 years ago.

The climate is warm and humid, mainly due to its orography so this one may bloom only in autumn when it's still warm and starts to rain.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

That's a really interesting video... I suppose you were lucky to catch the flowers opening.
.

Actually, you can tell when they are just about to open - when the bud is very full, at the time just before opening there are small cracks where the segments will separate. I find that it is usually in the morning, fairly early, I guess that's when the hydrostatic pressure builds, at least at my house. I put the camcorder on a tripod, and just let it go. Actually took about 15 minutes from when I set it up to when it popped (one can record up to about 45 minutes, so there is some latitude). I trimmed the "anticipation" part of of the video, but the opening once it starts is just that fast. I have had the experience of looking at fat buds, going into the house for a few minutes to get a cup of coffee, coming back to a fully-open inflorescence. When they pop open, there's a burst of perfume. The excitement makes up for the fact that the flowers only last 2 or 3 days. This genus teaches one to live in the moment.

[rbarata]

Another question... since it's blooming, I suppose it won't gorw new growths for now. Am I right?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Another question... since it's blooming, I suppose it won't gorw new growths for now. Am I right?

I honestly don't remember. Just watch for new growths... different species seem to grow at different times, and I don't recall the pattern.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by rbarata

And what its habit regarding spike count?

Depends on the size of the plant.

Originally Posted by Roberta

When a spike like this looks like it is being restricted by the pot, I cut the pot around it (plastic mesh baskets are cheap...) The restricting part of the basket is easy to clip away, to make a bigger hole.

I totally disagree. There was no need to cut the pot.

Originally Posted by rbarata

Another question... since it's blooming, I suppose it won't gorw new growths for now. Am I right?

No, not really. These guys will bloom and send out new growths without any type of pattern.

[rbarata]

There was no need to cut the pot.

Done already...but it won't do any harm, I guess.

I hope it won't bloom when I'm out on holidays.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Done already...but it won't do any harm, I guess.

I hope it won't bloom when I'm out on holidays.

No harm in "enlarging the hole". I have had Stanhopea spikes fail when they got crimped, so this is what I do... doesn't harm and may help.

As for blooming when you are not home to see it, be very careful to not let the plant hear your plans I have had had the experience on more than one occasion where I was gone for 2 weeks and all the Stanhopeas had come and gone in my absence.