Bulbophyllum arfakianum was found in the mountains of Arfak. It grows on high trees in rain forests at an altitude of up to 400 m, as well as on branches of solitary trees standing in open areas, for example, in cultivated fields or in river valleys.
Bulbophyllum arfakianum, also called as Arfak Mountain Bulbophyllum, Hapalochilus arfakensis, Hyalosema arfakianum, is a species of the genus Bulbophyllum. This species was described by Kraenzl. in 1905.
IDENTIFY BULBOPHYLLUM ARFAKIANUM
Bulbophyllum arfakianum is native to New Guinea. This orchid was first discovered in the Arfak Mountains in Dutch New Guinea (and not in Irian Jaya), and since then it has been repeatedly encountered in northern Papua. That plants grow up to 400 m high, growing high on large trees in rainforests, as well as on the branches of individual trees on exposed sites, such as arable fields and river valleys.
It is a small sized, unifoliate, hot growing epiphyte with an ascending growth habit and pseudobulbs that are 1" (2.5 cm) apart on the rhizome. The leaves are 4.4-6.5 cm long and 2.5-3.1 cm wide. They are thick, very stiff, leathery and straight, but curves down along the edges and at the split apex, dull, dark green on the upper side, lighter green on the underside, and the edges are often purple.
Arfak Mountain Bulbophyllum blooms in the late winter and spring as well as late summer and fall on a to 5 1/2" (to 14 cm) long, stout inflorescence with triangular bracts and carrying a solitary flower held well above the leaves. The flowers do not open completely, they are 5 cm long and 1.7 cm in diameter. The lateral outer petals are connected together along the lower side of the flower and along the top at the top. The dorsal petal curves down and forward and is often pressed under the side outer petals, like the flap in the envelope. The outer whorls are green with auburn eyesight, stripes, marbling, which is more visible on the outside of the petals. Both the dorsal petal and lateral outer petals are fleshy, with a soft texture, are covered with small white hairs and small pimples on both sides. The small petals of the inner whorl are brightly dark purple at the apex and white at the base. triangular, the blunt-tipped lip is greenish white with purple spots and its edges are covered with purple hairs. The upper surface of the lip is densely covered with layers of long, silky white hairs. The spine is green with chestnut stripes and the anther chamber is yellow.
BULBOPHYLLUM ARFAKIANUM CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Bulbophyllum arfakianum needs a light level of 12000-20000 lux. This plants require moderate or even strong shading, they can not be exposed to direct sunlight. Light must be filtered or diffused and always need good ventilation.
Temperature:
Throughout the year, the average day temperature is 28-30 ° C, the night 22-23 ° C, and the daily difference is 6-8 ° C.
Humidity:
Arfak Mountain Bulbophyllum needs the humidity of almost 85% throughout the year. And please note that: This species does not tolerate spraying with synthetic insecticides and fungicides.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Bulbophyllum arfakianum can grow on wood rootstocks, but it grow better when planting on tree fern rootstock large enough to last for several years.
Repotting is best done when new roots start growing, because then the plants stabilize the fastest.
Watering:
This species should be abundantly watered during active growth, but excellent drainage should be ensured, and the roots must dry out between watering. The substrate around the roots can never be soggy or damp.
Fertilizer:
Weekly use of 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of orchid fertilizer is recommended. You can also use high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to mid-summer, and then until the end of autumn, high phosphorus fertilizer.
Rest period:
In winter, the amount of water and fertilizer can be slightly reduced, especially if the plants are grown on a short, dark day at moderate latitudes. Bulbophyllum arfakianum, however, can never completely dry up.
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