CULTURE SHEET

Bulbophyllum
Bulbophyllums are a pan tropical genus found across the high humidity. Yet some others can be found in montane
tropics in all continents except Europe with the maximumcloud forests where they are constantly misted by the
concentration in South East Asia. New Guinea alone has condensation
about
of water droplets around them. In an artificial
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species within its borders. They are ramblers that have

setting
a
Bulbophyllums will grow to their full potential if a

pseudobulb with a single leaf attached to its terminal end.

misting setup can be arranged.
Each psuedobulb is separated from the next one by a

Temperature: No definite temperature range can be given

considerable distance. The inflorescence arises from the base
for this alliance as there are lowland and montane species th
of the pseudobulb and usually carries flowers with a foul smell.
require entirely different conditions. It would be ideal to choo
Cirrhopetalums and Trias are associated genera that require
species that come from areas that have a climate similar to
similar growing conditions.
yours unless you are willing to invest in a temperature
Light:

Bulbophyllums will do well without direct sunshine controlled setting to grow some others that need specific

and only bright light conditions. Some species from theconditions.

lowlands however can be seen growing in direct sunlight.

Media and Fertilizer:
Bulbophyllums are ideally grown
Give them enough light so that their leaves are a nice apple
mounted because of their rambling nature and will tend to
green in colour. They will grow ideally in lighting varying from
jump out of pots quickly giving an unsightly result. They can
that required for Phalaenopsis to that of Cattleya.
also be mounted on coconut husk or grown in boxes made
Water:

Since Bulbophyllums come from the tropics, theyout

go of plastic mesh with very coarse media. They tend to

through at least one very distinct wet season. Those species

multiply quite fast producing a specimen sized plant over a

from nearer the Equator can be kept wet all year while those
short period. Fertilizing can be done using a balanced fertiliz
that come from the montane regions farther away from the
that can be fed to them about once a week throughout the
Equator will need to go through a cold and dry season.

year. Most of them will bloom only once a year around

Shriveled pseudobulbs can indicate the plant is being

springtime and can be fed with a bloom fertilizer at the

under-watered.

recommended concentration during this time.

Humidity: They will do best with humidity upwards of 50%.

Even the ones that are found in the lowlands and go dry for
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