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Description: Bulbophyllum fascinator, aka “The Fascinating Orchid”.
Found in peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines in primary montane forests at elevations of sealevel to 1000 meters as a small sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte with 2 to 3 cm between each ovoid to elliptic, olive green, obtusely 4 angled pseudobulb carrying a single, apical oblong-elliptic, petiolate base leaf that blooms in the summer and fall on a basal, suberect to patent, peduncle 4 to 5 cm long, 17 to 19 cm long overall, single flowered inflorescence with a membraneous, lanceolate floral bract.
This species is a hot to warm grower and I have potted them in wood slat baskets with some tree fern. Give it shade, moist conditions, and plenty of air movement. The trick is to let the newest growth be close to the wood basket and the oldest in the center. This way the new growth attaches to the wood and is more likely to bloom.
This species will flower in May (Autumn)
| Temperature: | Most Bulbophyllum species are warm growing and should see a winter temperature of no less than 65 F at night. Species from more temperate regions can be grown 5-10 degrees cooler. Maintain a gentle air movement. |
| Light: | Moderate to bright (2000 to 3500 foot-candles). Higher light, that does not damage the leaves, seems to result in better and more frequent blooming. |
| Water-Humidity: | Most species come from humid rain forests. Humidity should be kept at 60% , which can be difficult to do outside of the greenhouse. Water frequently, as both mounted (at least daily) and potted plants (several times a week) will thrive under wetter conditions than most orchids. Bulbophyllum may be the exception to the rule "when in doubt, don't water". Species from more temperate regions often have a dry period, and watering should be adjusted accordingly. |
| Fertilizer: | Use a balanced fertilizer at quarter strength once a week during the summer. This can be reduced to once a month in the winter. |
| Potting: | Bulbophyllum species tend to prefer a minimum of repotting. Mounting (tree fern or cork slabs), well draining baskets, and pots can all be used successfully. The recommended potting media are sphagnum moss, coir (coconut chips or fibers) and tree fern. The choice of potting will often be dictated by the very long rhizomes of some species. |
