The roof od Cool Americas is once again full of the flamboyant flowers of Laelia superbiens. This species is a real monster with plants several feet across and large flower heads on 2 and 3m long flower spikes.

The species is found in Mexico and central America as an epiphyte in open Oak forests or a terrestrial on cliffs. It grows at around 1200-1500m altitude and so is cool growing and two gigantic plants fill the far end of our Cool Americas section. Each plant is 2m across and this year we have a total of nine 2m flower stems each topped with a group of 10 to 15 large and beautiful flowers.

The pseudobulbs are also enormous with thick leathery leaves.

Last year we divided one of our specimen plants and now have ten large babies busting into growth with future promise. So if anyone would like to try growing one of these spectacular orchids, look out for plants at the London Show, April 7th and 8th.