Bulbophyllum question

[jpyerry]

I am curious about something concerning Bulbophyllums, I have read that some of them in particular the ones that smell bad, smell bad because they are pollinated by flies. Because flies can sometimes be very difficult to eradicate, do people who grow these plants have problems with unintentional pollination from houseflies?

I don't grow any Bulbos yet and it was passing curiosity I've had.

Justin

[sunshine]

I just dove into the world of bulbo's and yes some do smell like Doggy Doo and yes it is to attract an insect for pollination. So I suppose it could happen

[rcb]

I have some unpleasant smelling Bulbos, and I've not noticed any extra flies hanging around, and have not had any fertilizations. And I grow outside for a good part of the year.

Usually it's my Catt hybrids that seem to get fertilized here.

[Brooke]

I've never had any accidental pods on the bulbos.

Brooke

[jpyerry]

Fair enough, like I said it was just a passing curiosity. My thinking was that so many of the orchids that we grow are so far removed from their natural habitats, that their natural pollinators are thousands of miles away in many instances. But flies? Well, they are all over the place, and it would be annoying if you go through the trouble of blooming a plant all to have the flower taken away by an obnoxious housefly.

[katrina]

I have had 2 unplanned bulbo pregnancies ()...both were when the plants were outside....tingabarinum and Sunshine Queen.