Giant orchid

Giant orchid Care

Grammatophyllum speciosum

Other names: Tiger Orchid, Queen Of The Orchids, Sugar Cane Orchid

What is the plant

Grammatophyllum speciosum, also called giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid or queen of the orchids, is a species of orchid native to Indonesia. It is listed as the world's tallest orchid, with specimens recorded up to 7.62 metres in height.

Grammatophyllum speciosum is an epiphytic and occasionally a lithophytic plant, forming spectacular root bundles. Its cylindric pseudobulbs can grow to a length of 2.5 m. It can grow to gigantic clusters weighing from several hundred kilograms to more than one ton. It is native to New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, growing in crotches of large trees on exposed areas of the lowland tropical rainforest. These plants are usually rare in cultivation due to their spacial requirements.

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Lighting

Full Sun

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Grammatophyllum speciosum orchids require plenty of water and high humidity during the growing season. All species come from distinct wet/dry habitats. Less water is required during the cooler months.
Fertilizer
Apply a half-strength balanced fertilizer weekly during the growing season. Once a month or less during the cooler months.
Sunlight
These ordchids need bright light and can be grown in full sun.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
The potting medium must be well-drained, i.e. coarse fir bark, lava rock, pieces of broken pottery, chunks of tree fern, hardwood charcoal, etc. so that the roots can be wet, but then dry quickly.
Temperature
The ideal annual temperature range for Grammatophyllum speciosum orchid are 15 to 25°C. If the temperature is too low or too high, it will affect the growth and development of the plant.
Container
Grammatophyllum speciosum are best grown in a wire or wooden basket. The plant will grow at a height of 1.5-2.5m so the plant can not stand in the pot, and the strong rapid growing root system often breaks ordinary pots.