Name: Stanhopea maculosa

Etymology: The genus name Stanhopea honors Philip Henry Stanhope, 4th Earl Stanhope. The Latin specific epithet maculosa means “spotted” and refers to the distinctive pattern on the flowers.

Origin/Distribution: Tropical America.

Habitat: The species grows epiphytically in warm, humid forests. We recommend bright, filtered light, high humidity, and excellent air circulation. Warm conditions of approximately 20–29 °C during the day and 16–21 °C at night are favorable. During growth, the potting medium should be kept regularly moist, but never compacted or constantly wet.

Description and Notes: Stanhopea maculosa forms robust pseudobulbs with large, pleated leaves. Its impressive, often intensely fragrant flowers appear on downward-growing inflorescences and display a striking spotted pattern. We therefore prefer to grow the species in an open lattice or hanging pot with a coarse, well-aerated medium, allowing the inflorescences to grow unobstructed through the bottom of the pot. We water and fertilize regularly during active growth; after the new pseudobulbs have matured, we water somewhat less frequently.