Bulbophyllum acuminatum

Bulbophyllum acuminatum 'Red'

(Ridl.) Ridl.

Section: Cirrhopetalum

Geographic Distribution: Malaysia, Thailand, Burma and Sumatra.  

Elevation/ Temperature: sea level - 600 m lowland forest/ hot growing species.

Plant Type: epiphytic.

Growing Habit: sympodial

Cultivation Treatment: mounted.

Flowering Month(s) in Singapore: November-December.

Flowering Period: 3 days.

Flower Colour: dull magenta red. 

Flower Scent: not scented.

Flower Count: 10 flowers per inflorescence.

Flowering stages from budding to fully bloom.

Bulbophyllum plumatum

Bulbophyllum plumatum [1]

Ames 1915

Section: Cirrhopetalum

This strange looking orchid also known as 'The Feathery Bulbophyllum or '紅絲帶' (which means red ribbon in chinese). However, I would prefer to call it 'The Red Lantern' or 'The Red Chilli' in my own term. This warm orchid is native to Malaysia, Indonesia as well as in Philippines. 

I have been growing this bulbophyllum since January 2011 along window area at my kitchen yard. The yard receives less indirect sunlight but strong prevailing south-western wind during June-July. Due to the windy condition and as the plant is mounted on a fern bark, I watered it in the morning and evening to increase humidity.

This bulbophyllum has flowered for the first time in mid July 2011. The plant's  budding/ spiking stages are as follows:

Bulbophyllum putidum (syn. fascinator) [2]

The overall plant & close-up of flower with dimension overmarked. (Top & bottom photo)

Bulbophyllum putidum (syn. fascinator) [2]

(Teijsm. & Binn.) J.J.Sm. 1912 

Section: Cirrhopetalum

This is my second bulbophyllum putidum that I have taken care since Jan 2010. My first bulb. putidum was featured in my earlier blog post in April 2011. 

This orchid was originally planted in a plastic pot filled with perlite and top dressed with a layer of sphagnum moss to retain moisture. The plant has produced 2-3 new pseudo-bulbs over the year (total: 7-8 bulbs). It finally flowered from one of the latest bulb in June 2011.

In term of cultivation, I provided this plant with the same care as per my first bulb. putidum:

1) Sunlight: Bright indirect light.

2) Water: Once daily in the morning and second watering if I am available in the evening.

Perhaps the other bulbophyllum has been kept more on the drier side compared to this plant, as the former orchid is mounted on a small wooden twig.

Bulbophyllum sp (Unknown I.D)

Bulbophyllum sp

I'll like to share photo of this beautiful unknown bulbophyllum from a local nursery recently. According to the owner, the orchid is from some place near PNG.

It appears similarly to Bulbophyllum lepidum, but I am not entirely sure about the I.D. Perhaps someone can help to identify it please? Thanks in advanced.

Bulbophyllum putidum (syn. fascinator) [1]

Bulbophyllum putidum (syn. fascinator) [1]

(Teijsm. & Binn.) J.J.Sm. 1912 

Section: Cirrhopetalum

This commonly grown orchid, Bulbophyllum putidum or common known as 'The Putrid Mastigon' emits a foul smell of rotting matter to attract its pollinator, usually flies. Although, the smell may not be pleasant, its unique lip that moves with the slightest air movement and as well as its crimson red lip color, never fails to 'fascinate' many growers from all over the world.

Bulbophyllum gracillimum

Bulbophyllum gracillimum 

(Rolfe)Rofle 1912 SECTION Cirrhopetaloides Garay, Hamer & Siegerist 1994

Bulbophyllum gracillimum is a small size lowland orchid species. It is widespread from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Borneo and Australia.This bulbophyllum is commonly found growing in rainforest along the lower tree trunk. 

1st flower spike with premature bud drop. Sad!

The flowering period in southern Thailand is usually between October to December. Having said that, this bulbophyllum has flowered twice for me in early March this year in Singapore (the 1st flowering is unsuccessful though). I shall monitor its subsequence flowering to determine whether the March flowering is caused by stress. 

This bulbophyllum can produced up to 10-15 purplish red flowers which are arranged in a cluster form. The bright yellow dorsal sepal, which color is contrasting with the rest of the flower. The size of each flower is about 0.3cm wide x 2.5 cm in length. 

New flower buds forming from the 2nd inflorescence 

Bulbophyllum corolliferum (syn. curtisii)

Bulbophyllum corolliferum (syn. curtisii)
J.J.Sm. 1917 Section Cirrhopetalum

Plant: Overall View

Previously in December 2010, I had a post on 'Bulbophyllum curtisii var. lutescens' that has yellow flower. Further to that, I wish to share photos of Bulbophyllum corolliferum (syn. curtisii) that has the typical color form of purplish flower as compared to that of the former. 

Bulbophyllum corolliferum is a lowland hot-warm growing orchid species that ranges from Thailand and Malaysia. The flowering period in Thailand is between November to December. It can have up to 10 flowers arranged in umbel. The size of each flower is about 0.3cm wide x 1.5 cm in length.

Bulbophyllum medusae

Bulbophyllum medusae

R(Lindley) Rchb.f. 1861

Section Corymbosa (Bl) Avery.1994

  

Flower buds waiting for the 'big hair' day

Cluster of flower buds




This spectacular orchid, Bulbophyllum medusae or common known as 'Medusa's Bulbophyllum' with snake or mop-like flower with reference to Gorgon Medusa's head of snakes (as featured in Greek's tale  'Clash of The Titans').

It is a warm to hot growing lowland Bulbophyllum species and its habitat range from Malaysia, Thailand to Indonesia. It is also a native orchid of Singapore, but now the orchid is quite rare due to urbanization.

Bulbophyllum abbreviatum

Bulbophyllum abbreviatum

Rchb.f 1881 Section: Cirrhopetalum

This is another delighting warm growing bulbophyllum species (石豆兰 in chinese) from the lowland forest of West Malaysia (formerly Malaya) and northeastern Madagascar. Similarly to the flower of bulbophyllum lepidum, its inflorescence is also arranged in umbel and variable in the color intensity. The color of its sepal ranges from pinkish red to brown.

Bulbophyllum curtisii var. lutescens

Bulbophyllum curtisii var. lutescens

Garay 1999. Section: Cirrhopetalum

This species with flowers arranged in a umbrella or fan shape, is a distinct characteristic of bulbophyllum under the section of cirrhopetalum. The typical color of bulbophyllum curtisii is purplish red, however this particular variety have a unique yellow colour. 

Flower: Close-up view

Bulbophyllum lepidum

 

Bulbophyllum lepidum 

(BI.) J.J.Sm. Section: Cirrhopetalum

This hot growing lowland bulbophyllum species is easy to grow even in a high-rise apartment. Hence, this plant is a very suitable candidate for beginners with tight space constraint. 

There is some variation in the color intensity of the lateral sepal from pink to dark maroon red, depending on their country origin, which ranges from Thailand, Malaysia to Indonesia. This 'fused' sepal act as a landing platform for its pollinator (flies).

The flower emits a distinct foul smell that may put off some growers. However the odor does not deter me from growing the orchid, as I regard it as a distinct characteristic of this genus.