With just one week until the RHS London Orchid Show we are watching every plant closely and are confident that this wonderful specimen will be looking good for the show.

We have balanced the plant on an upside down bin and the long spikes still touch the bench!. There are eight flower spikes on the plant with a probable five to be in flower for the show – the spikes already out will probably be over!

The species is native to Malaysia, Thailand and Borneo where it grown on the trunks and lower branches of large trees in evergreen forest from 300 to 1800m. We find that the species enjoys growing warm but well shaded and kept moist throughout the year.  We find that leaves can become damaged by bright sun or by plants being allowed to become dry for long periods.

The flowers do bruise quite easily and so it is worth moving a plant in spike to a safe place, like ours in the photo, for the flower spikes to grow where they wont touch things or be knocked.

We will let you know if it makes it to London.