Bulbophyllum farreri

Bulbophyllum farreri is found across Yunnan (China), Vietnam, and Myanmar, where it thrives in broad-leaved forests at elevations around 1,000 meters.

Features:

• Growth Form: A small epiphyte or lithophyte with creeping rhizomes and clustered, ovoid-globose pseudobulbs—each bearing a single leathery leaf.

• Bloom Characteristics: Blooms in spring, sending up a basal, spreading inflorescence (about 7 cm/2.8″ long) that bears 5–9 orange to yellow flowers arranged in an umbel.

• Distinctive Appeal: Beloved by collectors for its floral clusters and vibrant coloration that evoke tropical highland charm.

Care Tips:

Light

• Moderate to bright, filtered light (~15,000–20,000 lux); avoid direct sun, which can scorch foliage.

• In controlled environments, 2–3 hours of bright, diffused light daily is ideal.

Temperature

• Warm to cool intermediate range: 16–27 °C (60–80 °F) during the day with a 6–8 °C (10–15 °F) nighttime drop to encourage flowering.

Watering & Humidity

• Keep the growing medium consistently moist, never allowing it to dry out completely—especially important during active growth and flowering.

• Maintain high humidity around 60–80%, paired with good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

Potting & Mounting

• Suitable for shallow pots, baskets, or mounting on cork or tree fern slabs. Use an airy, well-draining medium such as fine bark, sphagnum moss, and perlite.

• Allow rhizomes to spread freely—do not bury pseudobulbs, as this can cause rot.

Repotting

• Refresh the medium every 2–3 years, ideally in spring after flowering. Replace when the mix begins to break down.

Fertilization

• Use a diluted, balanced orchid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks during the growing season. Organic alternatives like fish emulsion can also be helpful.