Dove orchid

The terrestrial orchid Peristeria elata is the national flower of Panama. This is a big orchid with fist-size pseudobulbs and leaves up to a metre long. The tall flower stalk bears 10-20 plus very fragrant and exquisite flowers, opening four or five at a time, so the flowering period can last more than a month. This is its first flowering for me since acquiring it 2 years ago - and from its strength I am sure more would follow. From what I heard, it used to commonly planted in Singapore and does well in our climate.