Orchids can be spectacular in different ways. Bulbophyllum auricomum is the national flower of Myanmar and features in traditional songs and literature as well as in buddhist traditions. Its name refers to its golden lip and as the plants grow high in the tree tops the flowers represent purity. We first came across the species […]

A treat every May is this delicate orchid always flowers during May and June in the greenhouse although we found it flowering in July on our expedition to Belize. The species comes from Central America and we have seen it a few miles inland from Belize city. Encyclias are Laelineae and so related to Cattleyas […]

Stelis brunnea is an orchid that produces a mass of small creamy white flowers at this time of year. In total we have twenty five Stelis species at school and lots of them produce a great display to show just how rewarding these small flowered species from South and Central America are. This species comes […]

We know that May is here when our Coelogyne nitidas start to flower. This pretty, fragrant orchid is one we have seen growing abundantly in the Hiamlayas and its flowering is always a treat. We have two distinct clones of this lovely orchid, Coelogyne nitida ‘limoniana’ (above) with a very light yellow blotch on the […]

In contrast to yesterday’s grand Guarianthe skinneri we have one of our favourite mini-miniature orchids today. The plant shown is close to filling its 8cm basket and produces a multitude of little starry flowers about 2mm across from the bright green 2cm leaves. Does anyone fancy counting the flowers? There are 39 flower spikes this […]