School me on Bulbophyllum medusae

[Mugsie]

I just purchased a Bulbophyllum medusae, and have done a ton of reading about it's culture. I was thinking of mounting it on cork bark, but do not think I can keep it moist enough, especially during the winter.

What should I know about this plant (other than it's stinky). How do you grow it, growth rate, lighting requirements etc. Anything you have would be helpful.

Thanks in advance....

[DirtyCoconuts]

hi- based on Eastern PA you are growing indoors.

do you have a dedicated space where you control the conditions or just inside as house plants? makes a big difference for bulbos as they have wet needs.

i grow this plant in a BRIGHT corner of my lath house, mounted on drift wood and draped in Spanish moss. i water it but not a lot....

it can grow brighter and a little rougher than other bulbos but still likes dappled shade and a lot of water.


i think inside it would need a plastic pot or some reservoir to stay moist enough unless there is a terrarium/ grow room

[Roberta]

Not stinky, I don't recall much of any scent from this one, but it's gorgeous. I have a couple of these, in plastic baskets with sphagnum, in my greenhouse - temperature is warm-ish, can get down to 58-60 deg F in winter. Fairly shady. The main benefit of the GH is humidity, Bulbos do like to be wet. This one doesn't ramble nearly as much as some of its cousins, so would do fine in a pot. Keeping it wet enough is the biggie. It likely will extend beyond the the pot, but then just give the aerial roots a spritz. It can bloom on a fairly small plant. Flowers are not particularly long lasting, but they are spectacular.

[DeaC]

A species I'm looking for. These will get huge and stink is fine with me as long as they bloom. Most of my Bulbos are in s/m and hang from slatted plastic pots. Get watered about ev. other day and mostly stay inside with dappled light. Others are in shallow pots with s/m. Now it's hot and humid outside so placing them out in a shady place works for me. A Elizabeth Ann Buckleberry has been in a 4" hanging pot about 8 yrs and just seems to wander around it. I don't want to divide it and she looks ok. Enjoy.

[DaylightFirefly]

Originally Posted by Roberta

can get down to 58-60 deg F in winter. Fairly shady.

Roberta, how does Medusae take high temps?
I have three NonId bulbos. I suspect that one of them is Medusae. I thought they like warm temps, I am not sure what the higher limit is.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by DaylightFirefly

Roberta, how does Medusae take high temps?
I have three NonId bulbos. I suspect that one of them is Medusae. I thought they like warm temps, I am not sure what the higher limit is.

Most Bulbos like warm temps. They'll tolerate the 60 deg nights in winter but would rather not. (Days are warmer) So warm and humid is ideal. Big difference between what a plant will "tolerate" and what it really wants. My GH is flimsy, with air leaks - OK for southern California, wouldn't be very useful in a more severe climate.

[Mugsie]

Thank you everyone for the info. For the next two months he'll be outside in a GH which is very hot and super humid. When he's brought in, it will be on a window sill getting south eastern exposure. I will need to figure out a way to keep him moist. Maybe a double pot with the outside pot containing a small reservoir for added humidity and keeping the medium damp?

[DirtyCoconuts]

Originally Posted by DaylightFirefly

Roberta, how does Medusae take high temps?
I have three NonId bulbos. I suspect that one of them is Medusae. I thought they like warm temps, I am not sure what the higher limit is.

while never in direct sunlight, mine sees mid 90s a lot and 100 a couple times a year

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Ever thought about growing rambling Bulbophyllums in mesh tray?

You can place potting media of your choice and it accommodates the growing habits. This is my choice for the previously mentioned reasons and for those who lead busy lives and don’t have time to water a mounted orchid everyday.

Pots are often too small in diameter for these types of Bulbos and they are sometimes too deep for the roots.

Wood baskets are also too small imo, even though they can hold potting media.

Bulbophyllum medusae is fragrant, it doesn’t smell like raw meat. It’s got a spicy sweet smell. You gotta stick your nose up to it to smell though.

[Roberta]

A concern for Bulb medusae (and others with pendant flowers) is that you need to keep the growths fairly close to the edge of whatever you're growing it in. Fortunately this one stays pretty compact.

For general Bulbo culture - and some great info on the "tray" approach check out this talk by Bill Thoms