BULBOFILLUM (LAT. BULBOPHYLLUM) - DESCRIPTION, PHOTO AND VARIETIES OF ORCHIDS: PHALAENOPSIS AND OTHERS, AS WELL AS THE CULTIVATION AND REPRODUCTION

Bulbofillum is one of the most mysterious exotic members of the orchid family, striking in its flowering, at the same time it is quite unpretentious and suitable for growing to beginners who have only recently become acquainted with orchids. You will learn how to properly care for your tropical pet, how to make it bloom and how to protect it from diseases and pests.

Bulbophyllum Orchid

A genus of orchids, individual subsorts of which may differ in color, shape and position of flowers. There are about 1000 species of Bulbofillum in total.. It belongs to the Orchid family, or, according to their other name, Orchid.

Appearance

This exot is a plant with waxy flowers up to 10 cm long. Inflorescences are represented by the most varied blossoms — green, yellow, red, pink, white. At the same time, various blotches on the petals are allowed.

The flowers are attached to peduncles whose length is 12 cm. The shape of the inflorescences is usually racemose, and the inflorescences themselves consist of multiple or single flowers.. The lip of the bud can be simple or divided into parts. Bulbofillum leaves are oval, leathery, reaching 20 cm in length.

The shape and thickness of the leaves is varied. The leaves are attached to the top of the pseudodobulb (a thickened near-earth part of the stem, in which the orchid accumulates moisture). The smell of each type of Bulbofillum is different - from pleasant to repulsive.

Orchid Bulbofillum is home to subtropical and tropical forests. Africa, Asia, southern, central and northern regions of America and New Guinea. For the first time, this type of orchid was mentioned by the botanist Louis-Marie Aubert Du Petit-Thouar in his book The History of Orchid Specific Plants Collected on the French Islands of Southern Africa: Bourbon and Madagascar.

Difference

From other types of orchids, Bulbofillum is distinguished by its appearance, creeping or hanging root system and thickened pseudobulbs, which ensures its survival during the dry season.

Reference! Bulbofillum is the largest genus of the Orchid family, which includes about 1000 species.

Podort c photo

It is impossible to mention all of the Bulbofillum subortions due to their multiplicity, we will focus on the most basic ones.

Phalaenopsis

Orchid with leaves up to 120 cm long, with round pseudobulbs, with elongated flowers, gathered in a brush. Many note the unpleasant smell of this subport. Homeland Bulbofillum Phalaenopsis-Western New Guinea.

Echinolabium

Orchid with pink or red petals. Peduncle length - 70 centimeters, which are attached to the buds. Homeland Bulbofillum Ekhinolabium-Indonesia.

Jellyfish

Exot with dense dark green leaves. On a long peduncle attached more than ten buds. The buds are similar to the jellyfish by their flowering, which gave the name to the variety. Petals are white with orange or red blotches.

Lobby

It is a medium-sized orchid up to 30 cm in length. On the peduncle there is only one flower with a diameter of 7 to 10 centimeters. At the same time, the peduncle reaches 10 cm. The flower has a yellow-orange color with purple specks and stripes. Homeland Bulbofillum Lobba-Thailand, India and Burma.

Bloom

Flowering time Bulbofillum depends on its type. Mostly orchids of this species bloom in summer, but some varieties can please with their flowering in late autumn or winter. The flowering also depends on the variety; it can also be small, and it happens that the orchid has only one bud.

Care before and after

Before flowering, as a rule, this is spring and the beginning of summer. Bulbofillum needs to be fed with complex mineral fertilizers for orchids. The frequency of feeding, every 2 weeks. After flowering, the spike is removed, and if necessary, exot is transplanted. When transplanting special attention should be paid to the roots, avoiding their damage or decay. After transplantation, it is not recommended to water exotic water for some time.

Important! After flowering at the exotic comes a period of rest, and it must be rearranged to a cool place at a temperature of 12-15 ° C.

What to do if does not bloom?

If the orchid does not bloom, it means that the conditions of its maintenance do not meet the required and the life cycle of the plant is broken. Pay attention to the mode of irrigation, the humidity of the substrate and the state of the roots of the plant. The temperature regime is also important; the plant probably does not bloom due to overheating. Perhaps the orchid does not have enough strength to bloom and needs fertilizing.

Growing up

Choosing a place. It is best to place it on the windowsill, facing south. Exotic need to protect from drafts and hypothermia. This variety is preferable to grow in hanging baskets and elongated pots. Bulbofillum miniature varieties can be kept in special wet terrariums.
Soil preparation and pot. Bulbofillum can be grown in the substrate without it. For growing suitable wooden or clay pot. The substrate must be breathable. Ideal blend of bark of conifers with charcoal and sphagnum moss. When growing Bulbofillum without a substrate (on blocks), it is recommended to make a small layer of moss between the plant and the block. This will prevent the roots from drying out.
Temperature. Bulbofillum likes high air temperature (15 ° С and higher - in winter, and 25-30 ° С - in summer).
Humidity. The ideal humidity for this variety is 50% or more, because dry air has a detrimental effect on the roots of the plant. To increase the level of humidity, you need to put a pan with water. You can also use a household humidifier.
Lighting. Bulbofillum as a photophilous plant needs bright lighting, but in summer a slight shading from direct sunlight (for example, a curtain) and fresh air is necessary.
Watering. Watering for orchids in summer is recommended abundant, in winter the frequency should be reduced. For irrigation it is preferable to use warm distilled or purified water. Before watering, you need to make sure that the substrate has dried, but it should not be completely dry.
Top dressing. Feed the exotic one every two weeks with special mineral fertilizers dissolved in a large amount of water. It is important to monitor that the orchid does not have an excess of nitrogen.
Transfer. Transplanting should be done as needed, ideally once every 5-6 years.
1. It is necessary to pull the orchid out of the pot and inspect the soil, whether it is suitable for reuse. If necessary, a new pot should be taken larger if the orchid has grown.
2. The root system must be thoroughly cleaned, removing all the damaged parts.
3. Place a drainage layer on the bottom of the pot and fill the pot with substrate.
4. The substrate can be bought already prepared or made independently from a mixture of pine bark, sphagnum moss, rotted leaves and river sand (1: 1: 1: 1 ratio). Bulbofillum rhizome is fixed in a pot with a special device for its fixation.

Breeding

As a rule, exotics are propagated by dividing the bush..

For this, the plant is removed from the pot, the rhizome is cleared from the substrate and divided into several parts, and in each part there must be two or more pseudobulbs.
The cut is processed by charcoal.
Then each part is planted separately.

Reference! Orchid is considered to be rooted after the appearance of young shoots. More rare breeding methods Bulbofillum-bulba and seeds.

We invite you to watch a video on orchid reproduction by dividing the bush:

Diseases and pests

Sometimes on the leaves of an orchid spotting may occur. This suggests that the plant does not have enough prienennosti.
Also, with excessive light can change the color of the leaves.
The rotting of the pseudobulb suggests that the plant is poured or the soil moisture is too high.
Pest control is also important - spider mites and aphids. Ticks can be found on the back of the sheet with white dots and an almost transparent web. Aphid strikes the stalks of exotic. To destroy the pests they wash off and treat the plant with soapy water. Prepare it like this: dilute 30 grams of laundry soap in a liter of water, add 2-3 ml of Actellic to the solution.

Bulbofillum are known for their diversity, and among them you will surely find one that will appeal to you. BUT following our recommendations will keep the plant healthy and enjoy its flowering.