I have had this orchid for well over three years – in fact, at the onset of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, it found its way to my home one summer when I went to pick mangoes at a friend’s home. I thought that she had not appreciated the plant as, although it was quite lush (without blooms, mind you), she shared it generously even describing the blooms that I would see.

Well, I waited, and waited, seemingly forever and no blooms! Without being ungrateful, I did complain to her that the plant did not show any interest whatsoever in all the love and care that I showered on it – plant food, fungus spraying, water, you name it. Then one day in early June 2023, my sister visited and I told her about the plant and how annoyed I was with it. I even cut a piece of the plant and shared with her.

A few days later, a burst of pink and white emerged! What a joy! I didn’t even know the name of it until I consulted with the donor and then did my research.

A few fun facts:

1. Native to Thailand and other parts of Asia, this species has fluffy foxtail-like flower spikes that bear up to 50 flowers. I counted mine and there were over 40 flowers on each bloom. Typically, the colours range from white with pink tips, purple or yellow.

2. I learnt that this species can take up to five years to bloom again, and even longer in some instances.

3. It boasts a somewhat spicy citrusy type fragrance;

4. It can be grown in pots or hang bare root like the Vandas. The plant can also be grown in wooden baskets and if potted the medium should drain so that the roots do not rot. It appears to like medium to bright filtered light (no direct sunlight). It loves water and should be given plant food every other time you water. I learnt that the roots should be kept lightly moist when the flowers are in bloom.

5. It loves warm weather and so with the constant high temperatures recently, I give thanks.

6. In parts of India and Nepal this orchid is used for protecting, moisturising, and lubricating the skin. In north-east India it is used for wounds, cuts and bruises. In some places it is used for treating asthma, cramps, vertigo and menstrual disorders.

This unique orchid was placed in the front of my garden, bare root and dangling from the palm tree until its roots wrapped themselves around the tree and started to expand. Beneath it, sits a recently installed rock garden — with a variety of succulents and other spiny non-flowering plants. No doubt it thought it should bloom where it was planted, suspecting that it was about to be thrown out or placed somewhere else in the garden.

Now holding pride of place, it is a beauty to behold when I step out the front door.

SO wishes Janice Grant Taffe the happiest of birthdays!