Insight as to Bulbophyllum Culture?

[Ross Robinson]

I've recently taken the fall into orchid addiction - Bulbophyllums, specifically. I'm curious as to what methods any forum members have used successfully to bloom the genus - I've successfully bloomed Bulbophyllum ambrosia, but have yet to have success with any other species.(Specifically, B. nymphopolitanum) I've recently killed a beautiful specimen of Bulbophyllum moniliforme. I have my plants mounted on EpiWeb with a generous pad of spagnum moss. My lighting is at around 1,500 footcandles, via a 160 watt Wonderlite.

PS - This is my first post. Woooooooo!

[Sandy4453]

Hi Ross. So glad to meet another orchid enthusiast.

I've been on a Bulbo kick for the last few months. Only have around 10 with one due to arrive any day now....love that ebay!

None of mine are mounted though I hear they thrive on mounts. I've got them potted several ways, some in sphag/coco chips/chopped tree fern, some in bark/coir and all in open slit pots or Vanda baskets (lined with coco husk). Light requirements vary for flowering but all (except ramossi which I can't get right) are all heavy water lovers and heavy fertilizing.

How did you kill the moniliforme? Too much/too little water/light?

[Ross Robinson]

In all honesty, I don't know. I believe I over-watered it - pseudobulb by pseudobulb, it became brown mush. Bacteria, perhaps?

[Sandy4453]

Ross, have a look here: IOSPE PHOTOS

[Sandy4453]

...and here, also: Bulbophyllum moniliforme - :(

[Tindomul]

Hi, I have not been able to bloom any of mine but I have not killed any. And all of mine are growing.
Here is my list:
-Bulbophyllum alagense 'large form'
-Bulbophyllum cuspidilingue (blumei)
-Bulbophyllum dearei
-Bulbophyllum Jersey x Bulbophyllum lobbii 'Kathy's Gold
-Bulbophyllum macranthum
-Bulbophyllum nymphopolitanum
-Cirrhopetalum cf. thaiorum
-Cirrhopetalum tingabarinum
-Rhytionanthos (Bulbophyllum) plumatus

I grow almost all of them mounted in terrariums where they get bright light heat and get thoroughly misted almost every day in the morning. I have had no problem with rot and so forth, but I am really bad at feeding them, so that is probably why I don't get blooms. But the plants do grow easily for me.

[Ross Robinson]

Does anyone have necrosis problems with Bulbophyllum nymphopolitanum? I bought mine from J & L Orchids - from my experience, a great dealer - With quite a bit of necrosis on the pseudobulbs. It was mounted on treefern, which had begun to mold, so I remounted it on Epiweb. I noticed some small, circular brown spots underneath the lower of four leaves (of 8 pseudobulbs, four had leaves). I'm assuming its fungus, as it has spread, slightly - I applied a sulfur-based fungicide. I do hope its not viral. It's very inconsistant - I'm leaning towards fungus.