Bulbophyllum farreri

🌿 Bulbophyllum farreri — A Subtropical Jewel from the Highlands 🌿

Bring a touch of the misty mountain forests of Yunnan, Vietnam, and Myanmar into your orchid collection with the striking Bulbophyllum farreri. This small-sized epiphytic orchid is admired for its unusual flower form, clustered growth habit, and vivid colors that range from rich orange to yellow, adding brightness and character to any growing space.

Native to broad-leaved forests at elevations around 1000 meters, Bulbophyllum farreri thrives in warm to cool conditions and is a true gem for collectors who love rare and exotic species. Expect springtime blooms on a short, umbellate inflorescence, showcasing 5 to 9 delicately arranged flowers, each highlighted by lanceolate floral bracts and a charming display of intricate textures and hues. As with many Bulbophyllums, color and size may vary slightly among individuals, making each plant uniquely beautiful.

✨ Botanical Highlights:

• Origin: Yunnan (China), Vietnam, and Myanmar
• Elevation: ~1000 meters
• Plant Size: Small, epiphytic orchid with creeping rhizome
• Pseudobulbs: Clustered, ovoid-globose, each carrying a single thick, leathery leaf
• Leaf: Subsessile, leathery, obtuse, and emarginate at the tip
• Bloom Season: Spring
• Inflorescence: Basal, spreading, ~2.8” (7 cm), with 5–9 flowers arranged in an umbel
• Flower Color: Shades of orange and yellow — variations in color and size are natural

🌱 Cultivation Tips for Bulbophyllum farreri:

💡 Light:
Prefers moderate, filtered light (15,000–20,000 lux). Avoid direct sun exposure. Suitable for indoor windowsills, shaded patios, or greenhouse culture with dappled light.

🌡️ Temperature:
This species adapts well to warm to cool growing conditions (16–27°C / 60–80°F). Provide a nighttime temperature drop of 6–8°C to encourage flowering. Avoid frost and cold drafts.

💧 Watering:
Maintain consistent moisture. Water regularly, especially during active growth, ensuring the potting media never fully dries out. Reduce watering slightly in cooler months.

💦 Humidity & Air Circulation:
Bulbophyllum farreri loves high humidity (60–80%) and good air movement. Ideal for terrariums, open baskets, or mounted displays with overhead misting or humidifiers.

🌿 Potting & Media:
Grow in shallow pots, baskets, or mounted on cork or tree fern with sphagnum moss or fine bark mix with perlite. The creeping rhizomes benefit from room to spread. Repot every 2–3 years, preferably in spring after blooming.

🌱 Fertilizer:
Use a dilute balanced orchid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks during the growing season. Organic options like fish emulsion are also beneficial for strong, steady growth.

This is a blooming size in a 2" or 3" pot about 1 to 2 years to bloom grown from seed, limited!

This stunning orchid is perfect for collectors looking to expand their Bulbophyllum collection with something rare and regionally distinct. Bulbophyllum farreri brings the allure of Southeast Asia’s montane forests into your home or greenhouse, rewarding patient care with bursts of springtime blooms.

🛒 Add this highland treasure to your orchid family today!