Blooming a Bulbophyllum

[SwTLaDYy16]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know what conditions need to be met to get a bulbophyllum to bloom? I have a Bulbophyllum "Elizabeth Ann" that is perfectly healthy and happy, but no blooms. I've had it for about a year and half and still no flowers...I'd really like to see it bloom again (the pic in my profile is the plant I'm referring to).

thanks in advance!

[Tobi]

Bulbophyllums have wandering rhizomes, so they are best suited in 4-6 in. slatted baskets.
Light should be about 1,800-2,800 fc. From what I have read, they like to have a
significant temp drop of about 10 F or more and a cool rest in the autumn to induce
flowering.

[kmarch]

I think I have to disagree with you on this one Tobi. I believe the best way to grow bulbos is to mount them. Of course this does require excellent humidity but bulbos are high humidity plants regardles of whether they're mounted or potted anyway. Mounting a bulbo allows it to ramble all over like it is prone to doing.

For the sake of those who don't use light meters, bulbos like medium light levels, indirect light a bit shady.

I'm also not sure about the temp drop and cool rest. From what I have read they're more trpoical and like warmer temps, more in the intermediate range and grow year round rather than seasonally. Maybe you could elaborate a bit more on what temperature ranges you're recommending.

Swtlady16, just a note on the name of your plant, it is Bulbophyllum Elizabeth Ann. Notice there is not quotation marks around the second part of the name. This second part of the name is called the grex and is not expressed in quotes.

[Tobi]

Originally Posted by kmarch

I think I have to disagree with you on this one Tobi. I believe the best way to grow bulbos is to mount them. Of course this does require excellent humidity but bulbos are high humidity plants regardles of whether they're mounted or potted anyway. Mounting a bulbo allows it to ramble all over like it is prone to doing.

I agree that mounting would be the best way to accommodate their rambling
rhizomes. I just suggested a basket for the average home grower that didn't
want to have to mist or spray on a daily basis. They can be potted as well,
but that would probably require repotting yearly. I read where one of the
growers that had this particular hybrid had great success with the temp.
drop similar to the temp drops for Phals. Daily temps 70-80 F with brief night
drops to 55-60 F.

[SwTLaDYy16]

Thanks! Ill try mounting it.

[Peter T]

I have quite a few Bulbos including Elizabeth Anne. Where possible I grow them all on rafts or in baskets made from some old cedar wood blinds. In pots they soon romp all over the surface and will need repotting frequently. Apart from this they look so much more natural in a basket and if you can encourage some moss to grow on the surface so much the better. Most of my plants flower on a regular basis, I try to encourage as much humidity as possible by keeping the ventilators closed (I think they get enough fresh air with the number of times I go in and out of the greenhouse) They are kept moist most of the time using rainwater with half strength fertilizer. Here in England from October to March I keep the temperature to 60f at night and 70 during the day. In the summer you are at the mercy of the outside temp. can reach 90 plus during the day and 60/70 at night. Good luck with your Elizabeth Anne, they are fantastic plants and well worth persevering with. I have this Rothschildianum out at the moment and as you will see it seems very happy in it's basket. Peter T