This wonderful small growing orchid with gigantic 15cm flowers is the clown orchid. We can’t wait to share it with those of you coming to our open evening on Monday (4-7pm).

Rossioglossum grande is 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 the roof of Cool Americas where it gets a wet shaded summer and lots of light and air in the winter when the shading is removed. 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 that gives this charming species its common name.