Stanhopea tigrina var. nigroviolacea ???

[nikv]

Hi!

This is a first bloom on a Stanhopea that I purchased many years ago at the SFOS show. It was a tiny seedling wrapped in spagnum and aluminum foil. It was about the size of my small finger. The tag lists the vendor as Orchideas Rio Verde in Mexico. It has grown up and finally bloomed. I was surprised to see the color of the flower. It measures about five inches across and about six inches tall. It has a delightful scent. I was just expecting to see darker spotting on the petals. Do you think this is the true species, a hybrid, or something else altogether? Any thoughts are welcome.

And the best I could do for a whole plant photo:

Best Regards,
Nik

 

[likespaphs]

i don't have any idea....
how old is the flower?

 

[nikv]

Not sure. I first noticed it when I went into the greenhouse Saturday morning. I'm guessing it was already a day or two old by then. I took these photos on Sunday.

 

[Shiva]

Sorry! This is no Stanhopea tigrina var. nigroviolacea. Var. nigroviolacea is very dark brown and much larger. In fact, I don't think it's a Stanhopea at all. It maybe a hybrid with a related species, possibly with a coryanthe.

 

[cnycharles]

it's definitely interesting, and does sort of look like a cross with a coryanthes; definitely not a straight stanhopea from what I've seen

 

[Shiva]

Here's a link with a picture of a true nigroviolacea.
http://www.orchidspecies.com/stannigroviolacea.htm

Michel

 

[nikv]

Thanks, Shiva! That is more in line with what I was expecting. At this point, I don't even think there's any nigroviolacea in the background of my plant, which leaves me wondering what I could possibly have. Probably will never know.

 

[SlipperFan]

Can you contact the vendor? -- maybe they know.

 

[Kevin]

What makes you think it's not a straight Stanhopea? Sure looks like one to me. The flower does look a bit old, but I do agree that it should be darker to be a tigrina or nigrovilolacea.

 

[John M]

Ah, that's disappointing, Nik. Orchideas Rio Verde strikes again! I bought a number of things that came from them way back in the early 90's...all seedlings. None turned out to be labelled correctly. I wouldn't give anything from them my valuable bench space again, even if the plants were free! It's not worth the investment of time and money to raise mislabelled seedlings to blooming.

 

[smartie2000]

but at least it is beautiful

 

[tim]

jesus am i the only one who's gonna say this looks just like what i'd expect out of a semi-alba, an 'aureum' type tigrina? get thee a photo to Rudolph Jenny quick!! Olaf do you know him?

 

[tenman]

The flower looks unusually washed-out, the 'red' an unusual color for stanhopea. What are your temperatures like? Any recent chemical applications?

I'd definitely give it a chance to rebloom before making a call.

 

[nikv]

jesus am i the only one who's gonna say this looks just like what i'd expect out of a semi-alba, an 'aureum' type tigrina? get thee a photo to Rudolph Jenny quick!! Olaf do you know him?

I have Dr. Jenny's email address as I sent him photos of another "unknown" Stanhopea which he identified as jenishiana. I was thinking of sending him photos of this one. I went into the greenhouse this morning with camera in hand to take additional photos when I noticed that the flower has withered. So I guess I'll have to wait for the next time it blooms. Anyway, whatever it is, I do like it and plan on keeping it. I've had this baby for so many years and I'm just not willing to part with it. Thanks for all your help!

 

[Pete]

its a straight stanhopea. and its not a nigroviolacea. possibly standard tipo form but an old flower. they only last 36 hours in perfect condition...

 

[Pete]

and dont be ridiculous about a semi-alba. this is not a semi-alba. nor has there ever been any semi-albas of any stanhopeas that I have everheard of.

 

[tim]

just because you've not heard of one doesn't make it the case. none of mine fade by turning a lighter shade of the original color...at least I don't remember that being the case...

half-way down this page: http://www.autrevie.com/Stanhopea/stanhopea_nigroviolacea.html

 

[Pete]

id bet a million dollars its not a semi alba. and all of my stanhopeas fade their color after about 4 days..

 

[Eric Muehlbauer]

Nice fragrance? I had a tigrinum (looked exactly like the IOSP photo) and it smelled like the basement of a frat house the day after a party.

 

[Pete]

grim. i cant remember what mine smell like