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:

The plant take 2-3 weeks from budding to final bloom. The bloom consists of a cluster of 4 flowers arranged in umbel. The flower is nicely presented above the leaf, on a 13 cm long spike. Each crimson red flowers have elongated slender sepal that measures about 15 cm long. The scentless flower lasted about 5-7 days, which is slightly longer period than most of the bulbophyllum from the same Section. 

The slender petal swayed with the breeze (top photo).

The sepals have a 'crumbled' texture throughout its entire length. 

Fine hairs are observed at both sides of the orchid's dorsal sepal.