Bulbophyllum Polliculosum

[Jacob Reitsma]

I ordered a Bulbophyllum Polliculosum from eBay from Thailand and received it yesterday in a good condition.

I don't know how to to care for this plant very well.

Research on internet told me that it needs dappled shade or partial shade which is about 1000 fc I assume?

Does anyone has experience with this plant?

It's growing on a slab of spagnum and life moss it seems to me.

I wish to know the best light condition, water need and temperature range.

I was thinking to mount the whole slab of moss on a piece of cork and hang it.

[PaphLover]

Looks like eggs in a nest. Adorable.

I don't grow bulbo, but I hope the bulbs are ok. The top one looks mushy. Fingers crossed!!!!

[Jacob Reitsma]

Yes indeed, one of them seems soft and rotten, I'll remove that one I think. The other two seems perfectly fine.

[Optimist]

I see that they bloom with flowers that look like 2 little shoes, and seem to have no leaves. Do you see any new growth at the bottom? I would take off the moss. Having one rotten bulb means the plant should be inspected. It looks like they like to be mounted per the photos. That they are found Myanmar, Thailand And Vietnam would mean they need to be grown warm, and possibly kept misted. Most likely pure water like rain. They are epiphites, meaning quick drainage. I would get rid of the moss. I think that is what made the bulb rot. Most in-situ pictures show them on wood branches only. This is one that might enjoy a terrarium with a mister and a fan.

[Jacob Reitsma]

I checked it and I didn't see any new growth yet, I did see some healthy looking roots.
I am keeping it in a terrarium with a mister and some fans although my temp range might be a bit on the low side with (55-75F)
I hope it can bare the lower night temperature.
On the pics I found on internet it's mostly growing on wood branches indeed but also on those pics I do see some dead and/or half dead bulbs..That seems normal.
I am a bit scared to take away the moss because the roots seems pretty tight woven inside the moss.
Maybe I should try to not keeping it soaked all the time but just keeping it damped?

[estación seca]

I previously knew nothing about this, but here is how I proceeded:

I looked for anything mentioning a locality, so I could find climate data and perhaps some idea of its ecological niche. I got lucky and found this:
http://ssbg.asu.ru/turcz/turcz306-48-89.pdf
which has extremely specific locality data along with a description of the niche. Unfortunately mapping software reveals the site has been cleared for agriculture, but satellite imaging shows it is very close to a river (now a reservoir) and patches of dense forest remain nearby.

Next I would go look up data on what the climate is like at that spot. But my first guess would be to not take away the moss. It probably grows warm, shady and humid all year. There may be dry seasons but there will always be high humidity and, probably, some dew at night.

[Optimist]

On orchid species dot com, it is described as liking very shady (over half shade). It is also a Chirropetalum, which might help, and also "Found in Myanmar, Thailand And Vietnam as a mini-miniature sized epiphyte that blooms in the spring." Being an epiphite there is natural "dripping" and drying. If you have problems finding the exact plant, you might think of finding a plant that grows in the same habitat. This link is for bulbophylums of the area.

.:: Asiatic Green ::.:: Orchids :: Bulbophyllum

[Jacob Reitsma]

Thanks!

The high humidity and the shady place I can offer. My winter nights might be on the cool side for this plant(50-55F)

When it does something I'll give an update!

[Jacob Reitsma]

Today I removed the moss and mounted the plant with a tiny bit of spagnum.
I keep it at a low light level 600-700 fc , high humidity 85-95% and intermediate temperature wich is now 13-24C°. Soon when it's summer it will be warmer 17-25 C°

Let's hope he likes it!

[IMG]IMG_20170318_165142 by Jacob Reitsma, on Flickr[/IMG]

[Optimist]

Having a cool air (ultrasonic) humidifier on it might be good. The problem with having a "blanket of moss" on something is not much air gets though. The roots, yes, the leaves, no. Many of these orchids are in mist all the time. Species orchids are much harder to take care of because they need you to copy their exact living conditions. This is a challenge if no one has written up care instructions, or if you cannot find them.