Rare tiger orchid rewards Razali’s patience

The 51-year-old smallholder from Kelantan had first seen his tiger orchid bloom in 2018. This year, the plant finally flowered again, producing the striped petals that give the species its striking name.

Scientifically known as “Grammatophyllum speciosum”, the orchid has been part of Razali’s life since 2011, when he found it as a seedling after it fell from a tree in a forest near Pos Hau.

He brought it home to Kampung Redip and planted it simply as decoration – never imagining that more than a decade later, it would become one of the settlement’s attractions.

“The residents and I were very excited waiting for it to flower,” he told Bernama.

Visitors who happen to arrive during flowering season sometimes ask to buy it, but Razali has no intention of parting with the plant.

“I will not sell it because I am attached to it,” he said, adding that tiger orchids are not always easy to find in the wild as they often grow high on trees.

“Grammatophyllum speciosum” is considered rare and difficult to find in the wild due to habitat loss. It is also famous for being the largest and heaviest orchid species on the planet.

Razali has three orchid plants around his home, though this is the only native tiger orchid. Over the years, it has grown from a single stem into a large cluster.

The species is sometimes known locally as the sugarcane orchid because of its long, segmented stems.

Rather than keep it confined to a pot, he gives it plenty of space, using coconut fibre and placing it in an open area where it receives enough sunlight.

He also keeps an eye on its older stems, pruning away those that have turned brown while allowing the younger green growth to develop.

Now that it is in bloom again, the orchid has become an added attraction for visitors to Kampung Redip, where homestays already draw people to the area.

Still, for Razali, the plant’s appeal is much more personal. It is a reminder of something he found by chance, brought home, and cared for over many years.

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.