Name: Stanhopea saccata Bateman

Etymology: The genus name Stanhopea honors Philip Henry Stanhope, 4th Earl Stanhope. The Latin specific epithet saccata means “sack-shaped” and refers to the shape of a characteristic part of the flower.

Origin/Distribution: Mexico and Central America.

Habitat: The species grows epiphytically in humid tropical to montane forests. We recommend bright to partially shaded, filtered light, high humidity, and very good air circulation. Temperate to warm conditions of approximately 15–27 °C during the day and 10–19 °C at night are favorable. During active growth, the plant needs plenty of water and regular feeding.

Description and Notes: Stanhopea saccata forms pseudobulbs, each with one large, pleated leaf. The large, fleshy, often strongly fragrant flowers appear on downward-growing inflorescences and have a complex, sculptural structure. We grow the species in an open basket with a coarse, airy substrate that retains a little moisture. During growth, we water and fertilize regularly, using water that is as soft as possible. Once the new growths have matured, watering can be reduced somewhat without allowing the plant to dry out completely for an extended period.