One of the highlights of the autumn is this small growing orchid with large flowers (15cm across). This is the clown orchid. A cool growing species from Mexico, Guatemala and Belize where it is found in deciduous forest from 1400 to 2700m where it experiences shady wet summers (leaves on the trees) and cool dry bright winters (leaves off the trees)

For us the species does best in Cool Asia where many of our Himalayan species come from a habitat with similar conditions. According to older orchid books this was once a common beginners orchid in collections when wild plants were unsustainably collected for horticulture. It is a surprise that seed raised plants are not more widely available.

If you look closely you will spot the little striped clown at the centre of the flower