Cymbidium atropurpureum

A Malaysian Cymbidium
Unlike to common lowland Cymbidium finlaysonianum, this species features heavy red and maroon colors and the flowers are somewhat smaller at sea level. This is from Gua Musang, Kelantan. The plant there have better showing with larger flowers and longer inflorescence stalk. We can conclude that it maybe due to the cooler weather there as compared with Klang's badly poluted air for the last 2 months.
Also shot a HD Video here.


Also to note:- We lost numerous species here in our home in Klang due to the heat and pollution.

Nervilia aragoana Gaud.

An Interesting Terresterial Orchid

Tribe GASTRODIEAE Lindl., the Nervilia aragoana is a free flowering species and when grown altogether in a large pot, the cluster seems to be flowering all the time.

The single plant have its season and the flower will only appear after the large leaf dries off. It propagates via seed pods and its rhizomic shoots featuring a single, sometimes very large tuber.

It is common that this species hibernates for a period of 3-4 months.
The new leaves have purple spots but dissapears when fully grown.

The inflorescence is about 28cm tall bearing an average 5 greenish flowers with white hairy lip. Our discovery of this species was in the late 80s in Gua Musang, Kelantan while clearing our land for Cocoa plantings. We stopped and dug out this species to be planted on a reserved area. It has already overgrown its area during the entire period of 20 years.
It is very easy to grow here in Klang. It need 60% shading grown on slightly clayish soil topped with heavy leaf litter. It do not take kindly of chemicals especially fertilisers and fungicides.
We use only 'guano' (Bat droppings) every month. Sprinkling of fine limestones also helps for robust growth.

It can do well in shaded landscaping.

Pholidota globosa

Dilochia cantleyi

Montane Species

This is one montane species that would not flower at lowland. Ever.
This in-situ shot was captured last week in Genting Highlands and was flowering profusely. Our collected species from Gunong Stong, Kelantan, have not flowered for the last ten years although new plants were produced. The entire clump is healthy and getting larger but it did not flower at all.
This 'Dendrobium' look alike could be hybridized with other genus to produce some good flowers and was wondering anyone did it although someone did suggest doing so.

Another lovely Malaysian species and could be fast dissapearing due to heavy logging.

Calanthe

Calanthe triplicata

Coelogyne speciosa

This is a rarer Coelogyne. The flowers are large and have a good tone of beige color. It was discovered at the upper reaches of a waterfall in Kelantan. The leaves are palm-like. It is also easy to grow at lowland but with a slightly heavier shade.

Slowly and Surely Dying

Is Kelantan Destroying Herself?

130 million years old and home to yet many unnamed flora and fauna, the jungles of Peninsular Malaysia is fast disappearing!
According to the Asia Sentinel's report here , it is indeed very sad as I have personally witnessed endless days of logging near our conservatory everytime I visit this place since the 80's. What else can we say? What else can we do?

So long tigers, elephants and the rest. Goodbye to all Orchid Species known and unknown.
It looks like this is what Malaysia is all about!