Nancy,
I am someone that NEVER, NEVER gives cultivation advice. However, I am going to try to answer some of your questions.
The _Taylor's Guide to Orchids_ says to give Stanhopea a month long, cool, dry rest 'after growth is complete.'
Whenever I encounter advice in a book or periodical that does not agree with what I know, what I think I know or just does not sound right, I go to the front of the book and see who the author is. If I know the author and his/her credentials are impecable ( few if any ever are) then I usually change my mind. If on the other hand, I am not sure about the author, then I might do what you did and ask other people or I might just file the infomation away and see if I can validate or debunk it as time goes on. I guess the basic question is! How are your stanhopeas doing? If they are growing and flowering well the way you grow them, then keep on trucking.
Also, the next sentence says, "Divide them often after growth (there's *that* again!) to keep them blooming well." Should Stanhopeas be routinely divided? My inclination is to let them get big!
The finest example of cultivated stanhopeas that I have seen was at Longwood Gardens. They have many huge (100 bulbs more or less) plants of different species of stanhopeas and when flowering they produce multiple inflorecences and many flowers. A truely incredible sight. Back to the basic question.
Also, I have to admit being broadsided by this statement, "Flowers (Stanhopea wardii) keep well frozen." For what reason would I want to freeze these flowers? They don't strike me as being a good table decoration (defrosted? still frozen?)...
Beats me, but you might take note of the Edible Orchids thread on this digest.
icones
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