The commonly called Giant Orchid, Queen of the Orchids , Sugar Cane orchid or Tiger orchid, Grammatophyllum speciosum Blume 1825 is the largest and heaviest orchid species in the world. The orchid can reach a height up to about 3 meters. A Grammatophyllum speciosum orchid with a weight of 2 tons was one of the highlights at an exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London in 1851. The epiphitic, sometimes lithophytic growing Queen of the Orchids is native to Myanmar (formerly Burma), Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and New Guinea.

Because of its enormous size and weight Grammatophyllum speciosum orchids are a bit difficult to cultivate and the orchid blooms only once every two to four years. Flowers last about 2 month and get a size of about 10 cm in diameter. Flowering period: August. Grammatophyllum speciosum orchids are protected by CITES Appendix II (trade controlled to avoid use incompatible with species survival). The tropical orchid requires intermediate to warm temperatures and full sunlight. Because of their gigantic size Grammatophyllum speciosum orchids aren´t often found in cultivation.

© Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Grammatophyllum speciosum Blume 1825
(Giant Orchid, Queen of the Orchids, Sugar Cane orchid, Tiger orchid)
Photographer: Kitisak “Nat” Jaidee

Grammatophyllum species orchids at Orchids Flowers.com: