Bulbophyllum depressum

Bulbophyllum depressum King & Pantl. (1897) is a miniature to small pseudobulbous epiphyte native to a broad area: Assam, East Himalaya, India; Southeast China (including Yunnan, Guangdong, Hainan); and throughout much of Malesia (Borneo, Sumatra, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Peninsular Malaysia), as well as Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. It grows in hill and lower montane forests, typically at elevations between 600-2000 meters. It usually lives on trunks or large branches, often without moss.

Features:

• Pseudobulbs: Ovoid to ellipsoid, slightly flattened, somewhat “canted” (tilted) to the side. Close-set, though spacing can vary.

• Leaves: Single apical, rather thick, ovate; petiole short. Color medium to dark green.

• Flower: Tiny — about 3 mm (≈ 1/8 inch) across. The inflorescence is a basal or lateral/arching single-flowered stalk arising from the rhizome; the fl ower does not open well.

• Blooming season: Summer and fall.

Care Tips:

• Temperature: Intermediate to cool. Daytime ~ 20-25 °C, nighttime cooler but avoid letting it drop too low. Since it ranges up to 2000 m, it tolerates cooler conditions.

• Light: Filtered bright light; avoid harsh direct sunlight. Morning light or shade in afternoons works well.

• Humidity & Airflow: High humidity is essential; regular moisture and some air movement to prevent fungal or rot issues.

• Watering: Water moderately — keep substrate moist but allow slight drying between waterings. During its active growth seasons (summer/fall) water more, less during rest periods.

• Mounting / Substrate: Epiphytic habit implies it does well mounted on bark or grown in a well-draining orchid mix. Avoid overly mossy mounts if that traps too much moisture, given it often grows without moss in nature.