Habitat and Ecology
​Stanhopea tricornis, commonly known as the Three-Horned Stanhopea, is an epiphytic or terrestrial orchid native to Western South America, with a distribution spanning Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is found in tropical wet and wet montane cloud forests on the western slopes of the Andes, typically at elevations from near sea level up to 1,200 metres. It requires a hot to warm, moist tropical environment with deep shade and ample air circulation, relying on a distinct seasonal variation with periods of high rainfall followed by a somewhat drier spell to initiate its spectacular blooming cycle.
​Description
​This is a small to medium-sized orchid known for its elegant foliage and unique, bizarre flowers. It forms dense clumps of ribbed, ovoid pseudobulbs, each bearing a single, large, pleated, elliptic leaf. The inflorescence is a short, pendent spike that always emerges from the base of the plant and grows straight down. It typically bears 2 to 5 large, waxy, and highly fragrant flowers (up to 12.5 cm across) that are primarily white or cream-coloured with pale yellow markings on the lip and often subtle spots of cinnamon or brown at the base of the petals and sepals. The lip (labellum) is the defining feature: it is exceptionally complex, rigid, and possesses three prominent, forward-pointing horns, which give the orchid its common name. The flowers are short-lived but often produced in succession.
​Cultivation
​Like all Stanhopea species, S. tricornis must be grown in a hanging basket (with an open bottom or slatted sides) to accommodate the pendent, downward-growing flower spikes. It requires bright, filtered light—similar to Cattleya light—and should be grown in an open, coarse, and fast-draining epiphytic mix (e.g., coarse fir bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss). It needs frequent watering during the warm growing season to keep the roots moist, but growers should enforce a drier, cooler rest period in winter to encourage blooming. High humidity (70-80%) is crucial, along with excellent air circulation to prevent bacterial spotting.
​Optimal Daytime Temperature (Growing Season): 21-27 C (70-81 F)
​Optimal Nighttime Temperature: A temperature drop is vital, ideally 14-18 C (57-65 F).
​Feed regularly with a high-nitrogen liquid orchid feed during the active growth phase, switching to a high-phosphorus feed as pseudobulbs mature to stimulate flowering.
​Unique Features
​The Three-Horned Stanhopea is a classic collector's orchid famed for its intensely sweet, jasmine-like fragrance that is often strongest in the evening, and its spectacular floral mechanics. The three rigid horns on its waxy lip make it one of the most identifiable and bizarrely beautiful blooms in the orchid world, perfectly evolved to be pollinated by specific Euglossine bees. Its need for hanging basket culture and its dramatic, fleeting beauty offer a unique and high-reward experience.
​Specifications
​Plant Size: 3+ adult pseudobulbs,  growing in an aquatic pot
​Plant Family: Orchidaceae
​Plant Passport: A Stanhopea tricornis B 140084 C [user input] D GB