This unusual Coelogyne species has a wonderful habit of flowering for several years from each flower spike, a habit it shares with a small number of other species from section prolifera. Our large plant is about to be split after flowering and so we will be able to offer these for sale again next year.

After flowering the flower spikes take a ten month rest before extending again for the next year’s flowers. The longest we have had is four years of flowering from one stem.

We have seen this species in forest above Gangtok in Sikkim where it grows in cool, wet, evergreen, monsoon forest on mossy trunks and branches.

To match this habitat we grow the species in our Cool Asia section (minimum 10C) and keep it well watered throughout the year and remember not to cut off the flower spikes.

This is a warm growing, miniature species native to Madagascar and our smallest Aerangis species.

The plants produce very large flowers for the size of the plant on spikes about 5cm long and bare 1-2 flowers during the summer. The flowers are short lived and are fragrant at night.

The leaves are about 2cm long but the flowers are 5cm across with extraordinary 10cm spurs that carry the nectar for pollinating moths.

I am delighted to report that the seed from last years flowering has germinated well in the propagation laboratory and we will have lots of these delightful miniatures ready to take out of flask (we will mount them from flask) in about twelve months.

Here is another of our summer flowering favourites although these plants will be in full flower for the Bristol University Botanic Gardens Pollination Day on the first weekend in September (more info soon)

This beautiful miniature species is native to New Guinea where it grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte in mossy high mountain elfin forests. We find that the secret in cultivation is to replicate this habitat and so grow plant cool, wet and windy. We also find that plants prefer to grow mounted where there roots can establish on cork bark and plants can grow into impressive specimens.

The species is bird pollinated and comes in a wide range of colours including pink, orange, red, yellow and white – why not grow several different clones?

The flowers are extraordinarily long lasting and we have had flowers last nine months or more however we find that the plants benefit from the flowers being removed after a few months to allow the plant’s energy to into producing new growths. It is worth keeping an eye out for woodlice that will eat the roots or red spider on the leaves as either of these can cause a plant to go down hill and not recover.

This is another species that flowers several times each year and is coming back into flower after blooming last in February. This species is endemic to Peru where it grows between 2000m and 4000m as a terrestrial on rocky slopes amongst grasses. This explains the long flower spikes which carry the flowers well clear of the leaves and in reach of pollinating humming birds.

The colour of the flowers is quite extraordinary with the glowing orange ground and iridescent stripes of red or purple. Close inspection reveals that the red areas of the flower are produced by tiny purple hairs that cover the orange sepals. The Incas call the species Wajanki.

We grow the species in baskets in Cool Americas.

This lovely species is variable as shown by the two clones we have flowering at present offering the opportunity to produce viable seed for the laboratory.

This pretty orchid flowers several times each year from its long pendulous stems and was last in flower in February. The species is native to Java and Borneo and in the wild it is found at around 1000m altitude. We find that the species is tolerates a wide range of temperatures and it grows well both in Cool Americas (minimum 12C) or in Warm Asia (minimum 16C).

We grow plants in baskets and let the stems hang downwards. Plants seem to enjoy regular watering and we spray them daily.

Schoenorchis is an interesting genus related to Vanda that includes some very small species such as Scoenorchis fragrans as well as large growing plants such as todays orchid of the day.