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The Biggest Orchid in the World

Welcome today’s change of seasons with the Tiger Orchid, the biggest orchid in the world! Dave and I spotted this jumbo beauty during our recent visit to Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu. This was the first time we’ve ever seen one in bloom. The Tiger Orchid’s Latin name, Grammatophyllum speciosum, seems to fit this large plant.

Grammatophyllum speciosum, orchid species flower, giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid, or queen of the orchids, at Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, HawaiiClose up of flower lip, Grammatophyllum speciosum, orchid species flower, giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid, or queen of the orchids, at Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, HawaiiGrammatophyllum speciosum, orchid species flowers and buds, giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid, or queen of the orchids, at Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, Hawaii

Close up of flower lip of Grammatophyllum speciosum, orchid species flower, giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid, or queen of the orchids, at Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, HawaiiGrammatophyllum speciosum, orchid species flower, giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid, or queen of the orchids, at Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, Hawaii Grammatophyllum speciosum, orchid species flower, giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid, or queen of the orchids, at Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, Hawaii

These giants are native to rainforests from Thailand and Myanmar through Southeast Asia to Malaysia, Singapore, New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Believe it or not, they’re air plants, although they can grow larger than a ton. This specimen at Foster wasn’t a ton, but we estimated it was about 6 feet (1.8 m) tall, 8 feet (2.4 m) across, and very heavy. It held hundreds of flowers, each about 4 inches (10 cm.)

Grammatophyllums are Cymbidium relatives. They need warm temps, lots of full sun, and regular water. In Hawaii, we’ve seen them growing in large, specially constructed, wooden baskets. Sometimes they’re set on elevated platforms made of wood, stone, or brick.

Grammatophyllum speciosum, orchid species flower, giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid, or queen of the orchids, at Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, Hawaii Grammatophyllum speciosum, orchid species flowers, giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid, or queen of the orchids, at Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, Hawaii Grammatophyllum speciosum, orchid species flower, giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid, or queen of the orchids, at Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, Hawaii

Grammatophyllum speciosum, orchid species plant, giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid, or queen of the orchids, at Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, Hawaii Grammatophyllum speciosum, orchid species plant, giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid, or queen of the orchids, at Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, Hawaii Grammatophyllum speciosum, orchid species plant, giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid, or queen of the orchids, at Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, Hawaii

This plant had purplish brown spots on a white background, but most of this species’ photos and descriptions depict spots on a golden yellow background. Those colors inspire the common name Tiger Orchid. To learn more about the biggest orchid in the world, check out the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s story and photos about repotting their 300 pound (136 kg) Tiger Orchid.

Explore posts in the same categories: Fragrant Orchids, Growing, Photos, Warm Growers

This entry was posted on Monday, September 22nd, 2014 at 7:41 pm and is filed under Fragrant Orchids, Growing, Photos, Warm Growers.

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4 Comments on “The Biggest Orchid in the World”

  1. john Says:
    September 23rd, 2014 at 7:04 am

    so beautiful…

  2. Tina D. Says:
    September 23rd, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    mother nature is so awesome 🙂

  3. Rica P. Says:
    September 24th, 2014 at 7:21 am

    How can a one ton orchid live in trees? I just cannot imagine it. Thanks for the interesting blog!

  4. AboutOrchids » Blog Archive » More Orchids from Foster Botanical Garden Says:
    November 10th, 2014 at 10:25 pm

    […] In addition to posts about Foster’s orchids, including the biggest orchid in the world, and giant Grammatophyllums, here’s another post with more of Dave’s great photos. […]