Bubophyllum Rothschildianum, with the full current name Bulbophyllum Rothschildianum (O'Brien) J.J. Sm. 1912 SECTION Cirrhopetalum [Lindl.] Rchb.f 1861, is a botanical species, dedicated by (O’Brien) J.J. Smith, at the time of description (1912), to the English banker Walter Rothschild, a great enthusiast and collector of orchids in the 1800s. The accepted synonym of this species is Cirrhopetalum Rothschildianum O'Brien 1895.
The genus Bulbophyllum (Cirrhopetalum) is one of the richest genera in species within the Orchid family, a fact that indicates a varied collection can be dedicated to specimens of this genus, whose taxa are mainly fragrant - although some scents are not exactly delicate or pleasant, as is the case with the species presented here, where the scent, slightly fetid, rather recalls fermented cheeses or the smell of fresh fish, according to some authors. This aspect, although it may seem discouraging to enthusiasts, is easy to overlook, as the scent is very faint and is compensated by the spectacular nature of the flowers, which are always multiple, arranged in a fan shape at the end of long and seemingly fragile flower stalks, showing intense colors, with complex patterns, strong contrasts, and surprising shapes of considerable size, easily reaching 15 - 17 cm in length.
Flowering occurs twice a year, between May - June and September - October and lasts 2-3 weeks. One of the specific curiosities is the presence of an articulated, oscillating labellum, which can move, swinging with the air movement, as well as the appearance of the lateral petals, which partially fuse along almost their entire length, except for the basal area, and embrace the front part of the flower, apparently wrapping or surrounding it in a relatively conical structure. The dorsal petal, of reduced shape, with an acuminate tip, gives rise to a formation that covers the column above. Fine, shiny granules are distinguished, arranged over the entire surface of the main flower formations, which, when observed with magnifying instruments, appear covered with fine beads - also accompanied by protuberances or rows of protuberances or lines that run through the floral elements in a longitudinal direction. As a final note on the complexity of the flowers of this taxon, the edges of the inner petals show wrinkles, hairiness, with intense coloration and delicate insertion, which seem to tremble at the slightest breeze. Most of the patterns present on the flower are colored intense red, burgundy or maroon, contrasting with the dominant white-greenish background.
The distribution of the species is generally associated with South Asia, with presence in China (Yunnan), India (Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh), Myanmar (Burma), where it inhabits warm to cool climates, strictly epiphytic stations, in lowland forests, at altitudes between 0 and 300 meters.
Specimens are generally small in size, 12 - 18, occasionally 20 cm tall, with ovoid pseudobulbs of 3 - 4 cm, each bearing a single leaf inserted apically, with lengths of 12 - 16 cm. The pseudobulbs are connected by creeping rhizomes, very prolific, with distances of at least 5 cm between two successive formations, a feature that facilitates the division of plants for propagation when changing the substrate. The flower stalks emerge from the base of the pseudobulbs, have an erect posture, bearing multiple flowers apically, arranged in umbels.
The spectacular nature of the flowers is accompanied by very easy growth, resembling in this respect the species of Phalaenopsis, to which it shows the same demands, or rather lack thereof - the only difference being that Bulbophyllum Rothschildianum prefers somewhat higher light radiation values than Phalaenopsis.
The culture containers must be generously provided with perforations, plastic baskets or any other form of container that can ensure efficient and rapid drainage of water, as well as air circulation through the growing medium, being used in this regard. As a substrate, it is recommended either mounting on bark plaques, ensuring however high air humidity values and daily watering, especially in the summer season, or planting in shallow bowl-type pots, similar to those used for azaleas, in which the lower half of the container will be filled with a coarse-grained, loosely compacted substrate made of pieces of cork or bark of medium to large size, and the upper half completed with a fine-grained substrate made of small-caliber pine bark, coconut chips, coconut fiber, clay balls, pumice stone, cocoa shells (provided that a maximum proportion of 10% of the total substrate intended for the upper section of the container is respected, as these represent a highly nutritious medium with high moisture retention). The moment for changing the culture containers and substrate is recommended to be any period immediately after flowering, when the initiation of vegetative growth will be noticed, signaled by the appearance of new roots. For this taxon, good ventilation is necessary, as due to high humidity requirements, it is susceptible to diseases, generally represented by rots.
Light radiation values should be in the range of 15000 - 25000 lux, with shading periods from spring to autumn, but ensuring as much light as possible, as long as no sunburn of the leaves is observed. It is interesting to note that Bulbophyllum Rothschildianum also tolerates low levels of sunlight, growing vigorously and without causing problems in cultivation, but it necessarily requires intense light to bloom abundantly.
From the point of view of the thermal factor there is no demanding species here either, preferring an average summer daytime temperature of 26 ℃ and nighttime temperatures of 19 - 20 ℃, with a difference of 7 ℃, so that in winter the average daytime temperatures drop to 18 - 20 ℃ and nighttime temperatures to 5 - 7 ℃, with an amplitude of 13 – 14 ℃.
Waterings will be carried out relatively frequently, about 3 - 5 times a week, but allowing the substrate to dry between successive applications. The humidity requirements of this taxon are high, combined with a preference for frequent watering, the recommended level being 85% during summer and early autumn, but decreasing to 70% with the onset of the cold season, to later reach 60% in the driest period, towards the end of winter - when this value will be maintained for a period of two months. During the growing season, it is recommended to keep the substrate moist but not wet.
The application of fertilizers during the growing period will be done at concentrations of 25 - 50% of the dose recommended by the manufacturer, and those with lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus content can be used in autumn to stimulate flowering. It is recommended to thoroughly wash the substrate every 2-4 weeks to avoid the accumulation of minerals that can cause chemical burns to the roots - especially when using water with high hardness.
The rest period for this taxon will be represented by an interval of 1 - 2 months at the end of winter, when watering will be reduced but not stopped - and humidity will be lowered to 60% because even in this season, Bulbophyllum Rothschildianum requires a significant water supply, either through morning sprays or light waterings at intervals of 3 weeks. During this period, fertilization will be completely stopped.
Do you want to see more articles and gain more knowledge? This article is offered free of charge, but you can support secretgarden.ro with a review here:
Google: Review on Google
Facebook: Review on Facebook