grammatophyllum-scripum-var-citrinum

The genus Grammatophyllum includes one of the largest orchids of the world -the gigantic G.speciosum,whose pseudobulbs reach lengths of up to 8.2 ft /2.5 m! Admitedly ,the species G. scriptum is much smaller in porportions,but it is still robust enough never to become part of amateur collections. Its pseudobulbs reach lengths of up to 8 in/ 20 cm and bear 3 or 4 massive leaves that are up to 40 in / 1 m long .The inflorescence is a spike of copious symmetrical ,star -shaped greenish flowers . The flowers of a typical specimen are adorned with brown dots(hence the Latin name ''scriptum'')that are missing from a rarer variety ,G.citrinum. Growing the terrestrial species is not complicated :it is quite happy in semi-shade ,in a permiable medium with an addition of standard soil and modest watering . It blooms in late summer and comes from southeastern Asia.