Stanhopea Alliance

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The Stanhopea Alliance includes genera such as Stanhopea, Coryanthes, Gongora, Embreea, Cirrhaea, and Sievekingia. It also includes the closely related genera of Paphinia, Braemia, Acineta, Lacaena, Lueddemannia, Vasqueziella Horichia, Houlletia, Jennyella, Schlimia, Trevoria, Kegeliella, Polycycnis & Soterosanthus. 

Stanhopea are well known for having pendent flower spikes. Because of this, Stanhopea, and a few other genera in this group are best grown in plastic Vanda baskets or net pots as once the spikes hit a hard surface, they will terminate the flower spike. It does not seem to affect the spikes when there is a small amount of plastic or wood that the spike can maneuver around. Most flowers in this group are fragrant and last only a few days to a few weeks.

Potting: As mentioned, this group is best potted in plastic Vanda baskets or net pots. Mostly due to pendent flower spikes, though plants that have arching flower spikes in this group are best grown the same way as sometimes the spikes arch low and terminate against the side of a pot. Generally, this group are all epiphytes, so they like to have frequent moisture around the roots, but also air movement and net pots are great for this. Many growers use sphagnum moss for these plants and they do well in it as long as good air movement is provided. 

Watering: Frequently during active growth in summertime, in winter, greatly reduce water for a month or two. During active growth, allow to become "damp dry" between waterings. 

Fertilizer: We use a balanced time released fertilizer in spring and use water soluble fertilizer once or twice a month. Stopping fertilizer in October, starting up again in April.