PaphYeo: July 2014

Grammatophyllum speciosum - the spectacular and one of the world’s largest orchid plant - the tiger orchid – are budding in Singapore again. Does the vividly coloured yellow and maroon resemble the coat of a tiger?

It can grow to gigantic clusters weighing from several hundred kilograms to more than one ton.

Flowers were observed in 6 different locations. I believe this blooming phenomenon is going to be seen across the island. The last time it happened was a few years ago.

The tiger orchids, together with many of the other orchid species that are native to Singapore, have become extinct, mainly due to habitat loss and urbanization.

For the past years, NParks has been working on the orchid conservation and reintroduce some of these orchids back to the Parks. This initiative is aimed at propagating and re-introducing native orchid species into natural, semi-natural, and urban environments.

The recent hot spell may be the cause of triggering the blooms. This orchid can, however, remain in bloom for up to two months. What a sight to welcome the coming Singapore Garden Festival which will be held from 16^th to 24 August 14.

Plant 2 - growing at Bukit Batoh Park.

Woon Leng Nursery

Plant growing at a local grower's garden.

Plant 1 - along Holland Road.

Plant 2 - along Holland Road.

Plant 1 - growing in front of Eu Tong Sen Building, NUs Bukit Timah Campus.

Plant 2 - growing in front of Eu Tong Sen Building, NUS Bukit Timah Campus.

Plant growing inside NOG, SBG at the edge of the glass house.

Plant 1 - growing near the car/taxi drop off Koi Pond), SBG.

The most prolific clump now with 35 spikes. What a sight to behold.

Plant 1 - growing near the car/taxi drop off/Koi Pong, SBG.

Plant 2 - growing near Botany Centre Auditorium.

Plant 3 - growing near SBG Museum.

This is probably the largest clump in Singapore. My estimate on this clump is well over 3 meters across. It has started to spike and so far 1 stalk observed. You can expect more to come in the weeks ahead.