Yes, we have arrived at day 50 of our 365 days of orchid species in flower at the Writhlington School Orchid Project. Time to celebrate so here is Cochlioda noezliana a startling scarlet species from the cloud forests of Colombia that has been a major influence on orchid breeding since its discovery and the orchid species behind the red in many of the red orchids sold around the world.

the colour is there to attract humming birds and represents parallel evolution to that of Cattleya coccinea (day 20) The other lovely pollination feature here is the two yellow beak guides on the lip to help the pollinating bird find the nectar.

This species has a reputation as not the easiest to grow but we find it straight forward if you stick to the cool moist conditions of its cloud forest home (our cool Americas section)