Stenia: A Charming, Unusual Mini Orchid
Being an orchid geek, one of my favorite things is blooming a species for the first time. When this unusual Stenia pushed out a single flower bud, I was excited. Over several weeks, the bud fattened up, and finally opened to reveal a fascinating blossom. Stenia vasquezii has a spotted flower with a lip folded into a pouch. It’s one of the few orchids with a pouch-shaped lip that’s outside the Lady Slipper family.
Stenia qualifies as an orchid name that’s easy to pronounce. I bought this plant a year ago at an orchid show. It’s a Zygo relative, native to Bolivia and Peru. With thin leaves, it needs regular water, good humidity, and bright light. It can tolerate morning sun if temperatures aren’t too warm. The blooms hang from the base of the plant, so it should be potted to sit level with the top of the flower pot. If not, the buds may get stuck inside the pot rim. It could also be mounted.
These photos include flower views from varying angles to better appreciate that intriguing lip. I’m looking forward to coaxing more blooms from this attractive, uncommon orchid.
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