"Visitors to the Bogor Botanical Gardens in the next two months can enjoy the sight of its Giant Orchids (Grammatophyllum speciosum) in full bloom.
Locally known as Anggrek Harimau or the tiger orchid, the flowers can be found in the wild in West Java and West Kalimantan. "Worldwide, there are 12 other varieties [species !] in the same orchid family [genus !] of them are found here," botanical gardens employee Sudjati said. Giant Orchid stems can grow to a height of five meters, while their flowers may have a diameter of up to 10 centimeters. Usually, each stem bears 50 to 100 flowers. Giant Orchids were first planted in the gardens in 1944. Dutch botanist C.L. Blume once took the variety found in West Java to London. It drew crowds as an exhibit in the Crystal Palace, bearing hundreds of flowers. Although it only produces flowers once every two years [really ?], the Giant Orchid is one of the longest-blooming orchids in existence. It can be in bloom for nine months." article URL : http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailcity.asp?fileid=20070113.C04&irec=3 see photo : http://www.thejakartapost.com/caption/P4C.jpg *********** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
