New candidate for this month is Stanhopea jenischiana.

Stanhopea jenischiana, F. Kramer ex Rchb.f. 1852, is accepted species by WCSP, Kew. The native range of this species is Colombia to NW Venezuela and S. Ecuador.

Previous Awards:

There are 12 AOS awards for Stanhopea jenischiana, starting from 1983. The latest award - clone 'Jardin Botatique de Montreal' received 80 pts AM/AOS and 81 pts CCM in 2023.

Description:

The candidate plant has 7 flowers evently spaced along a 44-cm pendant inflorescence. The plant is 55-cm tall by 47-cm wide and grown in 20-cm square wood basket filled with moss.

Flower Measurements:

NS H - 10.7 cm;                   NS V -9.4 cm;

Dorsal Sep. W - 2.5 cm;    Dorsal Sep. L - 6.5 cm;

Petal W - 1.4 cm;               Petals L - 4.8 cm;

Lat/Sepal W - 4.0 cm;       Lat/Sepal L - 6.5 cm;

Lip/Pouch W - 2.5 cm;     Lip/Pouch L - 6.0 cm.

Judges' Comments

Franco Pupulin (Lankester Botanical Garden, Costa Rica; University of Costa Rica)

 It is truly sad that, with all that has been written and rewritten about the genus Stanhopea, no one has yet found the time and the value to construct a dichotomous key to the different groups/complexes/subgenera/sections of this interesting assemblage of Neotropical orchids. The result is that not only can individual species of Stanhopea never be identified in a systematic "context", but also that the absence of a key does not allow to contrast those which should be the critical or differential characters of each species, compared to the most closely related species. Identifying a Stanhopea is, every time, starting from scratch...

That said, I believe your identification is correct.

The loosely arranged flowers on a pretty long inflorescence, the relatively large flowers, the mostly yellow flowers with a few red spots and the white lip with bright yellow hypochile (Jenny said hat the hypochile of S. jenischiana has not “eye”, but at least one flower reproduced in his monograph clearly has it!) and its somewhat droplet-shaped when observed in profile, well agree with S. jenischiana.

All the best,

Franco.

Al Messina (Accredited Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

Nice bloom of a wonderful species that wiser people than I would not grow for 362 days for a 3 day bloom at best.

Size, form, arrangement, color not better than awarded plants with Kaufmann's 'Quatorce' setting an almost impossible standard of 14 flowers on one inflorescence (in the wild this species produces 4-7 flowers, according to IOSPE).

(The flower count of 'Huntington's Candycorn' might be a judge neophyte counting error--about 17 flowers and buds on a multi-spike

plant. This skewes the award group flower count higher. No plant photo so we'll never know if the true flower count was, indeed, 151 flowers and buds on 9 inflorescences). No award on this bloom.

Kris Mason (Accredited Judge, Cincinnati Judging Center)

Thank you for this beautiful entry. Stanhopea's are always a joy to see.  This flowering has average color, decent number of flowers per inflorescence when compared to awarded clones.  I like the spacing of the flowers on the inflorescence, less crowed.  However, the individual segments are narrow giving a more open look to the flowers.  Although close.

Steve Gonzalez-Costa (Accredited Judge, Chicago Judging Center)

Nice flower and good spotting on the last photo of the album to the right that shows the dark, define spotting on the petals, lip, column, but there has been more and darker spotting and overall darker coloring on flowers like ‘Stepanie’s Baxter AM 82 and Huntington’s Candycorn’ AM 84.  Some have had more and larger flowers like ‘Perla’s Eyes’ AM 83.  HCC’s are also competitive in size and arrangement, but this one is typical and good, but overall I just can’t find a wow factor to hit me like lightning.  This is a Stanhopea that everybody should have, fun, floriferous, I would not nominate it, maybe at a later flowering it would impress more and garner a plus or minus from an 80 point AM or an HCC.  So, I’ll pass – but I do have one, great species to enjoy.

Paul Wetter (Senior Judge, West Palm Beach Judging Center)

Thank you for presenting this very nicely grown Stanhopea jenischiana species.  Jenischiana ususally have a bold pattern and good substance and are often used in hybridizing where these features are transferred. Color in this specimen is as would be expected, but could be better with bolder  spots and patterns.  Size is in the range for this species as is the floriferousness.  I would expect this plant at judging to receive a high HCC, with higher score if improvements in markings and color pattern. There is potential for higher score and possibly culture awards with future growth, so would be nice to see again with subsequent blooms. Would be interested in what others with more experience with this genera would think.

Best Regards

Paul Wetter

Deb Jenson (Student Judge, Chicago Judging Center)

I was excited to judge this Stanhopea jenischiana because I haven't had the chance to judge one before, and I find them fascinating. I had to take time to learn about the desirable and undesirable traits, and I believe this Stanhopea is a very good candidate.

From an overall form perspective, it appears to be quite symmetrical, although the right lateral sepal is slightly smaller than the left. From the front view, the petals wrap around the dorsal evenly and provide a pleasing presentation. The epichile is a nice size and provides minimal gaps between the horns and column.

I find the color very attractive, with the pale yellow sepals featuring burgundy spots; though more spots would make this more interesting. The darker yellow petals with symmetrical burgundy spots create a nice contrast from the front. I also find the golden yellow hypochile fading into the cream-colored mesochile, epichile, and horns appealing, producing an ombre effect. The burgundy spotting on the epichile and column offers a consistent and pleasing presentation.

I would certainly nominate this for a quality award, but I would defer to more experienced judges, given my limited experience with judging these.

Deb Jenson

Judie Armstrong (Associate Judge, Florida North-Central Judging Center)

These flowers always remind me of a praying mantis insect.  I love the weirdness of them.  This plant has more flowers on the inflorescence than the last awarded flower to Stanhopea jenischiana 'Jardin botanique de Montreal' seven versus four, but the candidate plant has only one inflorescence.  The candidate flower is slightly smaller than 'Jardin botanique de Montreal'.  The color is very nice light yellow with burgundy spots.  I see a lot of rolling back of the margins of the sepals.  I would pass on this orchid at this point in time.  Thank you for submitting this flower for judging.

Thank you,

Judie

Exhibitor - Joseph Thomas, Central Jersey and Lehigh Valley Orchid Societies,  NJ

Grower's Advice

The Stanhopea and other similar plants like Gongora I grow outdoors in summer under some trees. In winter on racks the face a southwest window. The racks also have barrina T8 full spectrum lights. The temperature in winter is normal room temp. during the day and since it is a spare room the heat is turned down and door closed for a temp drop. Water when needed with dilute fertilizer (1/4-1/8) with almost every watering. Fans for air circulation.