Aww it’s my favorite species! It’s VERY special! Dr. Koopowitz chronicles its tragic story of destruction in PLANT EXTINCTION: A GLOBAL CRISIS; it existed in the millions in what is now Hong Kong but from the 1950s-60s was plowed under for development as well as being ripped out, in bloom, to be shipped to the west to aquariasts to be sunk in fish tanks as a decoration; it would take months to die but since it only cost $0.50, it was easily replaced. My Dad has photos of them in his tanks from the 50s. By the 80s, it was completely gone from Hong Kong and rare in the trade. A few plants were rediscovered clinging to existence in HK and it’s also been found in Vietnam.
Dr. Leslie, I am shocked that you aren’t blooming this plant and would love to know your conditions. It’s extremely reliable for me and as the OP says, it blooms every year, without fail, on each new growth. I have 4 of them in bloom or opening right now; not bragging! But I’ve been reading your stuff for a long time and I know you’re 1000 times the grower I am so I’d love to see what’s going on and get you flowers going!