Bulbophyllum fletcherianum - Fletcher's Bulbophyllum require warm temperatures from 21-27°C but will be comfortable in a temperature range of...
Bulbophyllum fletcherianum, also called as Fletcher's Bulbophyllum, Spies' bulbophyllum, Tongue orchid, Bulbophyllum spiesii, Cirrhopetalum fletcherianum, is a species of the genus Bulbophyllum. This species was described by J. Gurney Fowler in 1914.
IDENTIFY BULBOPHYLLUM FLETCHERIANUM - FLETCHER'S BULBOPHYLLUM
Bulbophyllum fletcherianum is native to New Guinea. It is found growing in lowland forest, in sunny rock outcrops or mossy tree branches at elevations of 400-500 meters above sea level.
It is a large sized, hot growing epiphyte, lithophyte or pseudo-terrestrial with close-set, subglobose or quadrangular, somewhat compressed, transversely wrinkled, 2-5.5 cm across, 1-leaved pseudobulbs that are streaked with purple lines. The leaves are sessile, elliptic or oblong, obtuse, coriaceous, 5-35 cm long (can grow to almost 1.8 m long), 3-10 cm wide (up to 30 cm), glaucous, purple-edged.
Fletcher's Bulbophyllum blooms in the summer and fall from the short, stout, almost umbellate, 5 to 30-flowered inflorescence that arising from the base of the pseudobulb. The spike-shaped flowers are clustered, suffused and blotched with purple. The fragrance of these flowers, have been compared to a whole herd of dead elephants.
BULBOPHYLLUM FLETCHERIANUM - FLETCHER'S BULBOPHYLLUM 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 fletcherianum need intermediate light about 15000-20000 lux. Higher light, that does not damage the leaves, seems to result in better and more frequent blooming. They can be grown indoors providing they receive good light.
Temperature:
Fletcher's Bulbophyllum require warm temperatures from 21-27°C but will be comfortable in a temperature range of 7 to 35°C. They will not tolerate frosts. They need a temperature drop of about 6-8°C at night for flowering.
Humidity:
Spies' bulbophyllum prefers high levels of humidity (about 70%) and very good air circulation year round. Good air movement is important to reduce the problem of leaf fungal disease due to frequent watering.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Bulbophyllum fletcherianum can be grown mounted on slabs of cork or tree fern. However, the species can be grown in shallow pots, or even baskets. One requirement is to retain enough moisture at the root, as the plant don’t like to dry out. The rhizome can be trained to stay in the pot by bending them, eventually cutting the old bulbs and leaving them in place, so they will provide additional growth in the pot. Sphagnum has been popular because it retains a lot of moisture, which is what these plants prefer when in active growth; however when it decays or starts to retain too many salts, the plants will have problems. A mixture of small bark and perlite is also suitable.
Repot as infrequently as possible. Repotting is best done in spring or autumn when new growth appears at a frequency of about every 3 years.
Watering:
Fletcher's Bulbophyllum need to have ample water supply when the plants are in active growth, and a drought of even a couple of days is enough to kill the new growths and set back the plant. Due to their shallow fine root system they need to have constant moisture around their roots, however depending on their origin, some need a distinct wet and dry period to flower. The potting mix should never be allowed to dry out completely. They can be kept slightly drier in winter.
Fertilizer:
A balanced weak liquid fertilizer about once per month to weekly is recommended. They also enjoy fish emulsion and other organic fertilizers.
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