A bulbophyllum orchid belongs to the largest genus in the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Bulbophyllum holds close to 2,000 species. Growers know the genus for odd flowers, small pseudobulbs, and some famously bad smells.
The genus covers plants from tropical Asia, Africa, Madagascar, and the Pacific. Some species grow in cool mountain cloud forests. Others thrive in hot, humid lowlands near the equator.
The genus name comes from the Greek words for bulb and leaf. It nods to the single leaf on each pseudobulb.
Taxonomists have folded several smaller genera into Bulbophyllum over the years. Cirrhopetalum is the most common of these. That merger is why older tags and forum posts still use that name.
What Most Guides Get Wrong About Bulbophyllum Orchid Care
Many general orchid guides treat every species the same, but this genus spans huge climate differences. A high elevation species from a cool cloud forest will sulk in a warm, dry living room. A lowland species from near sea level handles heat that would stress the first plant.
Another common error is potting a bulbophyllum orchid the way growers pot a Phalaenopsis. Deep pots trap water around a rhizome that wants to creep and dry between waterings at the surface. Matching the container to the growth habit matters more than following one generic recipe.
What Makes Bulbophyllum the Largest Orchid Genus
Bulbophyllum is the biggest genus in Orchidaceae, and one of the largest genera in the entire plant kingdom. It is pantropical, meaning wild populations turn up on every continent with a tropical belt. New Guinea alone hosts hundreds of species.
Every bulbophyllum orchid is an epiphyte. It grows on tree bark or mossy rock instead of soil. Each pseudobulb carries a single leaf, and a new one forms every growing season.
The pseudobulbs sit along a creeping rhizome instead of clustering in one spot. This habit sets the genus apart from Cattleya or Phalaenopsis. A mature clump can spread sideways for a foot or more within a few years.
Why These Orchids Look and Smell So Strange
Many bulbophyllum flowers have a hinged lip that rocks in the breeze. The motion mimics an insect, which draws flies close. Once a fly lands, the lip can tip it straight into the pollen.
Flies are the main pollinator across the genus. That single fact explains almost everything odd about the flowers. Bright color, hair like fringes, and heavy scent all exist to attract flies rather than bees.
Scent is where these plants get their reputation. Several species smell like rotting meat, old fish, or spoiled fruit. A few, in the Cirrhopetalum group, have barely any scent at all.
Fly pollination mechanics are covered in full on our orchid pollination page. Not every strong smelling orchid belongs to this genus, though. Our fragrant orchids guide covers the sweet smelling side of the family.
Famous Bulbophyllum Species to Know
Bulbophyllum medusae is the medusa orchid. It carries dozens of thin, pale, thread like petals that hang and sway from a small flower head. The effect looks like a cluster of snakes, which is exactly where the name comes from.
Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis is nicknamed the giant stinker. Its flowers are large and dark, and the smell ranks among the worst in the genus. Growers who keep it outdoors often avoid opening windows nearby during bloom.
Bulbophyllum lobbii is a handsome, easier species with big yellow orange flowers. Bulbophyllum echinolabium has a lip that moves on its own with the slightest touch or breeze. Cirrhopetalum types, such as Bulbophyllum longissimum, produce flowers arranged in a ring that growers call a daisy chain orchid.
Cirrhopetalum types are worth knowing as a group, not just through one species. Their flowers grow in a ring around a central point, all facing outward together.
Growers call the look a daisy chain orchid. The ring often opens over several weeks, not all at once.
The table below compares five well known species side by side.
| Species | Flower size | Smell | Ideal temperature | Ease for beginners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulbophyllum medusae | Small, in a dense head | Mild, slightly sweet | 65 to 85 F (18 to 29 C) | Moderate |
| Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis | Large, up to 8 inches | Strong, foul | 60 to 85 F (16 to 29 C) | Difficult |
| Bulbophyllum lobbii | Large, single flower | Faint | 60 to 90 F (16 to 32 C) | Easy |
| Bulbophyllum echinolabium | Very large, mobile lip | Strong, unpleasant | 65 to 85 F (18 to 29 C) | Difficult |
| Bulbophyllum longissimum | Long, ribbon like petals | Mild | 60 to 85 F (16 to 29 C) | Moderate |
How to Grow a Bulbophyllum Orchid
A bulbophyllum orchid wants warmth, humidity, and constant moisture at the roots. Most species come from wet, shaded forest floors or branches and do not tolerate drying out. Humidity in the 60 to 80 percent range suits most species well.
Light should stay in the shade to medium range. Deep shade under taller orchids works for many species, and dappled light near an east window suits others. Direct sun scorches the thin leaves fast.
Because roots dislike stale air, mounts or shallow pans beat deep pots. Sphagnum moss or fine bark both work as media. Our orchid humidity guide explains how to raise humidity without soggy roots.
Feed the plant often but weakly. A quarter to half strength fertilizer at most waterings supports the constant new growth. Skipping feed for more than a few weeks slows the rhizome down noticeably.
Media choice depends on how often you can water. Fine bark drains fast and suits growers who water daily.
Fine sphagnum holds moisture longer, which helps on trips away from home. It rots faster around a creeping rhizome and needs closer watching.
Watering These Orchids All Year Round
Unlike Phalaenopsis or Dendrobium, a bulbophyllum orchid gets no true rest period. It needs even moisture in every season, not only during active growth. Letting the pseudobulbs shrivel from drought is one of the fastest ways to lose a plant.
Mounted plants often need water daily in warm weather. Plants in pans or shallow pots can stretch to every two or three days. Cooler winter conditions still call for steady dampness, just not standing water.
Repotting a Creeping Bulbophyllum
The creeping rhizome habit changes how repotting works. Instead of a centered plant, growers manage a line of pseudobulbs moving toward one edge of the pot. Repot before the lead growth reaches the rim, rather than on a fixed yearly schedule.
Mounting suits many species better than potting, since it lets the rhizome creep indefinitely. Our how to mount an orchid guide covers the technique step by step. Cork and tree fern slabs both work well for this genus.
Watch for new growths heading straight off the edge of the pot or mount. That is the clearest sign a plant needs a bigger home. Waiting too long forces new roots to grow in open air, where they dry out and stall.
Pests That Target Bulbophyllum Plants
Snails and slugs are the top complaint among growers of this genus. Soft new growth and constant moisture make an easy target overnight. A single snail can strip several growths in one visit.
Growers commonly check the medium after dark with a flashlight. Baits and copper tape around benches help, and isolating new plants matters too. Scale and mealybugs turn up sometimes, but less often than on smooth leaved genera.
Thrips can also mark the flowers on species with wide, flat petals. Fine mesh over open windows cuts down on both flying pests and stray flies looking for a pollination site. A quick weekly check catches most problems before they spread.
Which Bulbophyllum to Start With
Bulbophyllum lobbii is the easiest bulbophyllum orchid for beginners. It tolerates a broader temperature range than most relatives and blooms reliably each year. Its scent stays faint enough for an indoor windowsill.
Avoid Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis or Bulbophyllum echinolabium as a first plant. Both need steadier humidity and produce stronger odors during bloom.
Bulbophyllum sits within a much wider group of unusual growers. Our types of orchids guide sorts the whole family by genus. Several bulbophyllums also appear on our list of the rarest orchids in the world.
Sources
- orchidspecies.com: Bulbophyllum genus overview, species listing with distribution and altitude data. http://www.orchidspecies.com/bulbophyllum.htm
- orchidspecies.com: Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis species page, native range and elevation. http://www.orchidspecies.com/bulbphalaenopsis.htm
- American Orchid Society: Phalaenopsis Culture Sheet, general epiphytic orchid humidity range. https://www.aos.org/orchid-care/care-sheets/phalaenopsis-culture-sheet
Frequently asked questions
What is a bulbophyllum orchid?
A bulbophyllum orchid is a member of Bulbophyllum, the largest genus in the orchid family. It includes close to 2,000 species of epiphytes. Most have a single leaf on each small pseudobulb.
Why do bulbophyllum orchids smell bad?
Many bulbophyllum flowers rely on flies for pollination, not bees. Smells of rotting meat or old fruit draw flies in close. Not every species is strong smelling, but several famous ones are.
How often should I water a bulbophyllum orchid?
A bulbophyllum orchid needs even moisture all year, with no dry rest period. Mounted plants often need water daily in warm weather. Potted plants can stretch to every two or three days.
What is the easiest bulbophyllum orchid to grow?
Bulbophyllum lobbii is the easiest widely sold species for beginners. It tolerates a wide temperature range and blooms reliably. Its scent stays mild enough for indoor growing.
Can bulbophyllum orchids grow in regular pots?
Shallow pans or mounts work better than deep pots for most species. The creeping rhizome needs room to spread sideways. Deep pots trap water and can rot the rhizome.