2 years ago I inherited a huge Stanhopea from someone who moved out of our area. It is labeld Stan assidensis, a natural, or man made hybrid of Stan tigrina and wardii. This monster is in a 12" wire basket, spilling over the edge with 100 to 200 leaves. Last year it did not bloom, needed to get used to the new home, I guess.

This year it is producing a flush of flowers, numerous ones in a circle around the plant. The first two groups opened a few days ago and lo and behold they do not look like assidensis. The 2 groups were next to each other and at a species society meeting it was decided that they were Stan oculata. http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/stanhocculata.jpg

The flowers faded and now a few days later another group opened on the other side of the plant. These were full on Stan assidensis, no doubt about it. Big deep red splashes and lots of red everywhere. http://www.orchidspecies.com/stanassidensis.htm

I know there can be variation in a hybrid but not on the same plant. These 2 groups of flowers don't look like they belong to the same plant and I am sure they don't. I phoned the previous owner who told me that he noticed the same thing but was not interested enough to even give it a second thought. He apologized for not having told me about it, I again thanked him for a wonderful plant, all is well.

Pulling it all together, I'm sure there are 2 plants growing in this basket, an oculata and an assidensis. The bulbs are so densely packed that no one will ever know for sure. Growers often spike young plants by putting 2 seedlings in a pot which allows them to bring it to market sooner as the 2 plants give the appearance of a bigger plant. No problem as long as the two plants are the same. Occasionally two seedlings from different origins find themselves growing together giving bizarre results.

Oh well, I'll enjoy it for what it is, no real probem.

Nick