Bulbophyllum tortuosum

Also known as: The Twisted Bulb Bulbophyllum or Phyllorkis tortuosa Bulbophyllum tortuosum h.f. flavum Bulbophyllum listeri Bulbophyllum ulcerosum in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Bhutan India Thailand

General Information

The Twisted Bulb Bulbophyllum is a warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Bhutan, India and Thailand.

Plant Description

Grows to 4-40cm. Each new growth has a single elliptic lance shaped leaf that grows to 1-5cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 0.15-0.7cm. The plant forms pendant or arching growths

Substrate(s)

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

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.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 51mm to 254mm per day, heaviest in August and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 62% to 79%, highest in July and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 15C to 27C, highest in March (17C to 27C) and lowest in January (15C to 24C).

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.

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

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 Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.