The tribe to which Stanhopea and its relatives belong to (Stanhopeinae) is one of the most remarkable in the orchid family, both in appearance and natural history. This wholly New World group of twenty plus genera lives in subtropical and tropical regions, and are generally epiphytes, although some do grow terrestrially. The means by which the fantastic, but often short-lived flowers of these plants are pollinated are incredibly complex. The flowers of a number of species have powerful fragrances which the various male Euglossine bees find completely irresistable, and the contortions through which they pick-up and attach the pollen are just as fascinating.

Culturally, many of these orchids are fairly easy to grow. The majority of the plants in this group have pendent or descending spikes and need to be grown in a basket or on a mount. Because of their large, plicate leaves, plants generally do well in medium low to medium light.

This talk features representatives from most of the genera, and gives cultural information as well as a bit of natural history.