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Conservatory Greenhouse

Bulbophyllum falcatum

sickle-shaped leaf bulbophyllum

A miniature, warm-growing orchid, found growing on trees and occasionally rocks, producing angled, swollen stems, which store water and nutrients called pseudobulbs, growing to 10cm high. Each are adorned with two sickle-shaped leaves at their tips produced along a creeping stem which roots onto the bark or rock to provide support. Up to 14 flowers are produced along each side of a maroon coloured, flattened flower stem, appearing in winter and spring. They have an unpleasant smell. The dorsal petal is yellow and white on the inside and purple on the outside. The inner petals are wrapped in whorls around the base of the flower and are purple. There is a pronounced, purple, tongue-like lip called a labellum

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Ultimate height

Up to 10cm

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–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 GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming, 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: C Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open, well drained but moisture-retentive mix of medium orchid bark, sphagnum moss and perlite. Shallow, wide pots or baskets are best used to accommodate its spreading habit. Bright filtered light is best as direct sunlight through glass can scorch its leaves. Prefers a minimum night temperature of 15°C and a maximum of 30°C in the daytime. Nighttime temperatures should be 10°C lower than daytime temperatures for good growth and is beneficial to induce flowering. High humidity is required along with gentle air movement. Allow plants to freely drain when watering and avoid plants sitting in water as this can cause roots to rot. Plants may be intolerant of hard tap water, so irrigate with rainwater at room temperature. Orchid fertiliser can be applied regularly throughout the growing season, March to September. Reduce watering and feeding in winter months. See indoor orchid cultivation for further advice

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 sufficient 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

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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