We have more than twenty stelis species in our collection and this is one of the smaller ones with 3cm leaves and upright flower spikes with relatively large flowers (for a stelis).

Our recent expedition to Sarawak was the 22nd school orchid tropical expedition with five visits to Sikkim, five to Rwanda, three to Laos, two to Brazil, two to South Africa, two to Costa Rica, and one each to Guatemala and Belize.

Stelis itatiayae reminds us of our first expedition to Brazil in 2000 when we made first contact with stelis species and this is one of the species found in the Mata Atlantica around our base in Macae de Cima.

The species is found in wet forest from 900-1400m  in the low trunk area so enjoys good humidity and we find it loves a 3cm mossy pot grown close to yesterday’s Dracula sodiroi.

Our next expedition will be back to Sarawak in October with a much larger group and funding from the British Council. We are also looking forward to the World Orchid Congress in March 2020 – you will hear all about both trips here on our website. If there is anything you would like to know about our project please leave a comment and we will do our best to answer.