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Bulbophyllum picturatum

Small-sized, warm to cool growing epiphytic orchid species with typical, spreading, rhizomatous growth. Each pseudobulb - which is a morphological adaptation of stem for storing water and nutrients, carries one cm long green, leathery leaf. Flowering stems appear from the base of older pseudobulbs and carry 5-10 unusual-looking flowers, arranged it tight umbels. Each flower is approximately 5cm long, with two side sepals fused downwards, along most of the length. Dorsal sepal is short, creating a ''cap'' above the centre of flower with intricate tiny petals, yellow column and dark red lip.

Synonyms

Cirrhopetalum picturatum

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Ultimate height

Up to 10cm

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1A

Botanical details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: A large, diverse genus of mainly epiphytic, sympodial tropical orchids, producing a clump of small pseudobulbs, which serve as plant’s storage for water and nutrients. Most species carry one leaf on top of each pseudobulb. Over 2000 species have been described and accepted
Name status: Correct
Plant range: India to China & SE Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open, free-draining, bark-based orchid compost with addition of perlite and sphagnum moss. Due to plants' spreading growth habit, they are best acommodated in wide, shallow pots or baskets. Provide enough filtered light, but keep away from direct sunlight or a heating source. Plants require high humidity and frequent watering. Ensure that all water drains away, preventing the plant sitting wet. Orchid fertiliser can be applied regularly throughout the growing season. Reduce watering and feeding in winter months. Ideal temperatures are around minimum 14°C at night and up to maximum 30 °C during day. For best flowering, amplitudes of temperatures between daytime and night should be at least 8 -10 °C, even more in summer months.

Propagation

Propagation by seed is only possible in a controlled laboratory environment. Mature plants may be divided when the plant overgrows its container. Each division should have at least 3 older pseudobulbs with a suffient amount of stored energy and water, to support new growth and reduce stress after repotting.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove spent flower stem at the base.

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and scale insects infestations.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

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