Bubophyllum Rothschildianum, with the current full name of Bulbophyllum Rothschildianum (O'Brien) JJ Sm. 1912 SECTION Cirrhopetalum [Lindl.] Rchb.f 1861, is a botanical species, dedicated by (O'Brien) JJ Smith, at the time of description (1912), to the English banker Walter Rothschild, great orchid enthusiast and collector of the 1800s. The accepted synonym of this species is Cirrhopetalum Rothschildianum O'Brien 1895.

The genus Bulbophyllum (Cirrhopetalum) is one of the most species-rich genera of the Orchidaceae family, which indicates that a varied collection can be dedicated to specimens of this genus, whose taxa are mainly fragrant - although some aromas are not exactly delicate or pleasant , as is the case with the species presented here, where the scent, slightly fetid, is more reminiscent of 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 perfume is particularly weak, and is compensated by the spectacularity of the flowers, which are always multiple, arranged in fans, at the end of the long and apparently thin floral stems, presenting colors intense, with complex patterns, strong contrasts, and surprising shapes of considerable size, easily reaching 15 - 17 cm in length.

Flowering takes place biannually, between the months of 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, pendulous to the movement of the air, as well as the appearance of the lateral petals, which partially merge, along almost their entire length, except for the basal area, and embrace the front part of the flower, apparently enveloping or surrounding it in a relatively conical structure. The dorsal petal, reduced in shape, with an acuminate tip, gives rise to a formation that covers the top of the column. Fine, glossy granules can be distinguished, arranged on the entire surface of the main formations of the flower, which, observed with magnifying instruments, appear covered with fine beads - being also accompanied by protuberances or rows of protuberances or lines that cross the floral elements in the longitudinal direction . As a final amendment to the complexity of the flowers of this taxon, the edges of the inner petals show wrinkles, pilosity, with intense chromaticity and delicate insertion, which seem to tremble at the slightest breeze. Most of the models present at the flower level are colored deep red, burgundy or garnet, contrasting with the dominant white-green background.

The distribution of the species is generally associated with South Asia, with presence in China (Yunnan), India (Sikkim, Assam, Arunchan, Pradesh), Myanmar (Burma), where it inhabits warm to cold climates, in strictly epiphytic resorts, in forests of plain, at altitudes between 0 and 300 meters.

The specimens are generally small in size, 12 - 18, occasionally 20 cm high, with ovoid pseudobulbs of 3 - 4 cm, each with a single leaf inserted apically, with lengths of 12 - 16 cm. The pseudobulbs are connected by sudden, particularly prolific rhizomes, with distances of at least 5 cm between two successive formations, an aspect that facilitates the division of plants for reproduction, when the substrate is changed. The flower stalks emerge from the base of the pseudobulbs, they are erect, bearing multiple flowers apically, with an umbellate arrangement.

The spectacular flowers are accompanied by a particularly easy growth, resembling from this point of view the Phalaenopsis species, compared to which they show the same demands, or rather the lack of them - the only difference is that Bulbophyllum Rothschildianum prefers light radiation values somewhat larger than Phalaenopsis.

The culture containers must be generously provided with perforations, being in this sense also used plastic baskets, or any other form of container that can ensure an efficient and quick drainage of water, as well as the circulation of air through the culture medium. As a substrate , it is recommended either mounting on bark plates, ensuring high air humidity values, and daily irrigation, especially in the summer season, or planting in bowl-type pots, with reduced depth, similar to those used for azalea, in which the lower half of the container will be provided with a large-grained substrate, with reduced compaction, represented by pieces of cork or bark of medium to large sizes, and the upper half completed with a fine-grained substrate, made of small-caliber pine bark, wood chips coconut, coconut fiber, clay balls, pumice stone, cocoa shells (provided that a proportion of maximum 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 of changing the culture containers and the substrate is recommended for any period immediately after flowering, when the initiation of vegetative growth will be noted, signaled by the appearance of new roots. For this taxon, it is necessary to ensure good ventilation, because, due to the high humidity requirements, it is susceptible to the installation of diseases, generally represented by rots.

The light radiation values ​​will be in the range of 15,000 - 25,000 lux, with periods of shading 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 tolerates low levels of sunlight, growing vigorously and without raising problems in the culture, but it necessarily requires the presence of intense light to bloom abundantly.

Even from the point of view of the thermal factor , we are not dealing with a pretentious species, preferring an average daytime summer temperature of 26 ℃ and nighttime temperatures of 19 - 20 ℃, with a difference of 7 ℃, because in in winter, the average daytime temperatures should drop to 18 - 20 ℃ and the night temperatures to 5 - 7 ℃, with an amplitude of 13 - 14 ℃.

Irrigation will be carried out relatively frequently, approximately 3 - 5 times a week, but allowing the substrate to dry between successive administrations. The requirements of this taxon for atmospheric humidity are high, by association with the preference for frequent irrigation, the recommended level being 85% during the summer and at the beginning of autumn, but falling to 70% at the onset of the cold season, to reach later, in the most dry period, at 60%, 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 growth period will be carried out at concentrations of 25 - 50% of the dose recommended by the manufacturer, those with a lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus content can be used during the fall, to stimulate flowering. It is recommended to thoroughly wash the substrate every 2-4 weeks, to avoid the accumulation of minerals, which can cause chemical burns of the roots - especially in the case of 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 irrigation will be reduced, but will not stop - and the humidity will be reduced to 60% because even in this season, Bulbophyllum Rothschildianum requires a significant intake of water, either through spraying applied in the morning, or through light irrigation at a distance of 3 weeks. During this period, fertilization will be completely stopped.

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