This warm growing epiphytic species native to the Philippines, is a small plant which produces a few brightly coloured flowers on a spike that is shorter than the leaves, normally through the autumn. This plant however is flowering during the summer. The species also has the ability to produce longer spikes upto 60cm long and instead of bearing flowers it produces multiple keikis. Which, in the wild, will be used to produce a colony of plants all along the host tree.

In June we had a visit from BBC cameras and Ellie Harrison from Countryfile. The programme goes out this Sunday at 5.30 on BBC 1 and will be on iplayer of course the program link is here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09170hp

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 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 beautiful species is endemic to Colombia where it grows in cloud forest above 2000m. Authorities describe the species as producing 30cm spikes with up to seven flowers but our clone produces spikes to 70cm with up to twelve flowers. This year our specimen plant has thirteen spikes and looks amazing.

We grow our plants cool (minimum 12C) and damp all year.

This miniature Bulbophyllum has unusual flowers with a remarkably long banana shaped creamy white lip.

It is native to New Guinea where it is reported at 700m altitude. We have seen similar miniature bulbophyllums in Laos and their habit is to spread so that they cover the trunk and lower branches of their host trees.

We grow the species mounted on cork where it multiplies rapidly. We spray it once a day and hang it in a shady spot in Warm Asia.