Fall Featured Plant
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Stanhopea oculata
Stanhopea
oculata is a species of orchid that is as reputed for its wild
appearance as for its dominant fragrance. The flowers may be caught
blooming usually from central to south America. The dark spots that
look like eyes give it the name oculata. Spikes bloom downward and
the flowers last just for a few days.
A flower of Stanhopea
oculata in bloom
S.oculata
is very easy to grow under intermediate to cool conditions. They
are also happy under bright moist conditions. The majority may be
hung for proper display of the spikes. They are easy to take care
of considering that they are members of one of the most beautiful
plant families. The plant needs bright light but not direct sunlight
as it may burn the leaves. It requires ample water for strong pseudobulbs
and healthy flowers. Dry roots leads to leaf dryness.
S. oculata, its flowers, pseudobulbs and leaves.
They perform
their best when grown in open baskets lined with moss. As the flowers
do not last too long, they are grown into large specimens with multiple
spikes, often blooming in succession. The flowers of this species
have a strong, sweet vanilla scent, and are creamy-white with circular
purple spots. They emerge from the bottom of the basket during late
summer and fall. The plants have high pseudobulbs, each topped with
a leaf.
Flowers
of S. oculata blooming from a hanging pot.
A view
of the under side of a flower.
The
Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden in South Hadley has a wonderful
plant of Stanhopea oculata currently in bloom. It is in
the Orchid room and you are welcome to take a tour and enjoy this
amazing specimen.
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