Bulbophyllum maximum

Also known as: The Largest Bulbophyllum or Phyllorkis maxima Phyllorkis oxyptera Bulbophyllum nyassanum Megaclinium oxypterum Megaclinium platyrhachis Bulbophyllum oxypterum Bulbophyllum maximum var. oxypterum Bulbophyllum oxypterum var. mozambicense Bulbophyllum subcoriaceum Bulbophyllum moirianum Bulbophyllum cyrtopetalum Bulbophyllum djumaense Bulbophyllum djumaense var. grandifolium Megaclinium flaccidum Megaclinium purpuratum Megaclinium oxypterum var. mozambicense Megaclinium subcoriaceum Megaclinium djumaensis in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Angola Cameroon Congo Ghana Guinea Kenya Liberia Malawi Mozambique Nigeria Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe

General Information

The Largest Bulbophyllum is a small sympodial intermediate to warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 6-35cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery thick, tongue shaped leaves that grow to 3-20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1-15cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Fine
• Bark
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

Care Notes

These orchids like to be kept on the dry side, but may need to be watered daily during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered regularly.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 13mm to 211mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 57% to 75%, highest in May and lowest in August. Temperature ranges from 11C to 26C, highest in August (14C to 26C) and lowest in January (11C to 21C).

Watering

These orchids are sensitive to excessive watering and should only be watered when they look thirsty. Water infrequently and ensure that the roots are dry before watering. Keep an eye on them especially during hot weather as overwatering can lead to rot, whereas underwatering may result in wilting or shriveling, which while unattractive, will not kill the plant.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

Due to the growth nature of these plants they are best mounted onto cork, tree fern slabs, or even trees if the climate suits. Water regularly especially in hot weather.

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Tree trunks or Fern slabs. Repotting is best done annually.