Bulbophyllum nigrescens

Also known as: The Blackish Bulbophyllum or Bulbophyllum nigrescens h.f. obscurum Bulbophyllum angusteellipticum in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: China Myanmar Thailand

General Information

The Blackish Bulbophyllum is a sympodial warm growing orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to China, Myanmar and Thailand.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 1.5-12cm. Each new growth has a single leathery lance shaped, oblong shaped leaf that grows to 1-15cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1-1.5cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth and forms clusters over time

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Small
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Treefern
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

Climate

The orchids are well adapted for hot weather, accompanied by sporadic, unpredictable rainfall and a generally dry climate. They can tolerate a lot of neglect as they are quite used to it, however they can be prone to underwatering and may collapse in cold, wet weather.

For this reason it's best to dedicate a sheltered, protected area for them where the watering can be controlled, such as a corner of a greenhouse or in a sheltered balcony. They can also do well hung near the roof of a shadehouse or sheltered greenhouse where they receive the extra heat but not as much water as other plants. 

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 8mm to 292mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 58% to 83%, highest in August and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 9C to 32C, highest in April (20C to 32C) and lowest in January (9C to 25C).

Watering

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.

Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. 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

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually and in a pot the same size or only slightly larger than the previous one.