Rare tiger orchid rewards Razali’s patience

In 2011, Malaysian orchid enthusiast Razali Ayeh discovered a seedling of Grammatophyllum speciosum, a tiger orchid species renowned for its striking striped petals. The 51-year-old smallholder from Kelantan had stumbled upon the plant while it was still a seedling, having fallen from a tree in a forest near Pos Hau. Over the subsequent eight years, Razali nurtured the orchid as a decorative piece in his home in Kampung Redip, never anticipating that it would become a local attraction.

In 2018, the plant finally bloomed again, producing the distinctive striped petals that give the tiger orchid its name. The resident and Razali expressed their excitement for the orchid's return to bloom. Visitors who happen to arrive during flowering season might even inquire about purchasing the plant, but Razali has no intention of selling it, as he feels a strong attachment to it.

This is due to the orchid's rarity and difficulty in finding it in the wild, as it typically grows high on trees, making it susceptible to habitat loss.

Razali currently maintains three orchid plants around his home, with the tiger orchid being the only native species. Due to its growth patterns, the plant has expanded from a single stem into a large cluster. Rather than confining the orchid to a pot, Razali provides it ample space by using coconut fibre and placing it in an open area with sufficient sunlight. He also carefully monitors the plant's older stems, pruning away any that have turned brown while allowing the younger green growth to thrive.

The orchid's appeal extends beyond its visual beauty; for Razali, it symbolizes a chance discovery that he brought home and tended to over many years, creating a personal connection to the plant.