When thinking about what orchid to choose for this month’s “Orchid of the Month”, I decided on Bulbophyllum bicolor because it’s pretty unique. As the name implies, the flowers tend to have 2 colors: white, cream or yellow background with red or purple stripes. The lip, which like all Bulbophyllums, is hinged and moves independently from the rest of the flower. This unique feature helps in pollination in the wild.
This picture shows my Bulbophyllum bicolor. It’s a real beauty! Like many Bulbophyllums, the fragrance isn’t the most pleasant although I have to admit that I haven’t smelled it in quite a while.
But given that the pollinator is a species of Dipteran fly, I’m going to guess that it is not the most pleasing fragrance. But since stink attracts flies, we’re going to go with the fact that if most likely stinks.
Bulbophyllum bicolor is usually lithophytic as it grows on cliffs near Hong Kong. It can also grow as an epiphyte as well, usually on trees along streams at elevations of 100-500 meters.
This species has only been found in 14 locations globally. Nine of those locations are in Hong Kong. The other 5 are in South China, northwest Vietnam and northeast Laos. It is one of 135 orchid species that is native to Hong Kong.
Because of poaching and habitat degradation, observations of this orchid in the wild have revealed total reproductive failure. Bulbophyllum bicolor is self-incompatible and cannot produce seeds through self-pollination. And because its populations are isolated and mostly comprise just a single individual, opportunities for fruit-set are practically non-existent. But, Kadoorie Farm & Botanical Garden has gathered plants and is working to restore them in the wild. They are working with the Hong Kong SAR Government towards reintroduction of the plants in the wild.
Bulbophyllum bicolor is a miniature orchid with compact growth, creeping rhizomes and ovoid, slightly furrowed pseudobulbs topped by a single elliptic leaf. Flowering typically occurs in the spring. Inflorescences are basal and erect and arise from the base of the pseudobulbs. The flowers are about an inch and a half long and show up as an umbel of a few flowers.
I grow my Bulbophyllum bicolor as an epiphyte in my greenhouse on a small piece of wood. I grow mine near the output of my humidifier in the greenhouse to provide extra moisture.
There is no reason that it couldn’t be grown on a windowsill as long as you provide the high humidity that it likes. It tends to like medium light levels (filtered or diffused) with no direct sunlight. It likes temperatures in the lower 80s during the summer and lower 60s in the winter.
Here it is again in full bloom. I probably grow my Bulbophyllum bicolor in a little more light than it really needs but overall, it seems like a happy orchid. I would absolutely recommend this orchid to anyone who is considering adding a Bulbophyllum to their collection.
