Bulbophyllum medusae

Also known as: Medusa's Bulbophyllum or Bulbophyllum medusae h.f. album Cirrhopetalum medusae var. album in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

Medusa's Bulbophyllum is a small warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae. It is named after the Mythological Gorgon with a head of snakes.

Plant Description

Grows to 15-25cm. Each new growth has a single leathery rigid leaf that grows to 5-20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 2-5cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear during Autumn and Winter

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant. The fragrance can be described as musty

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Winter

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

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.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low elevations. Rainfall ranges from 86mm to 257mm per day, heaviest in December and lightest in July. Humidity ranges from 83% to 89%, highest in November and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 22C to 33C, highest in April (23C to 33C) and lowest in January (22C to 29C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

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 low Nitrogen fertiliser during Winter. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Winter.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

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