About
Bulbophyllum Elizabeth Ann gx 'Buckleberry' thrives in warm to hot environments and is a hybrid of Bulbophyllum longissimum and Bulbophyllum rothschildianum. This epiphytic orchid features short, angled, egg-shaped pseudobulbs that efficiently store water and nutrients. Each pseudobulb emerges from a creeping, rooting stem and supports a single leaf that is either oblong or lance-shaped. From autumn to spring, the plant produces clusters of flowers on slender stems. These blossoms are pale pink adorned with darker pink stripes. The upper sepal is hairy and displays pale green with darker markings, while the lower sepals can reach lengths of up to 30 cm. The hinged lip, a modified petal designed to entice pollinators, has a tongue-like shape and is pink in color. The flowers emit a pleasant fragrance and bloom during the fall through spring.
About the genus
This genus encompasses a broad range of primarily epiphytic, sympodial tropical orchids. These plants form clusters of small pseudobulbs that function as reservoirs for water and nutrients. Typically, each pseudobulb supports a single leaf. There are more than 2,000 recognized species within this group.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1A
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Clump forming, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
- 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
- Pruning
- No pruning required apart from the removal of faded flowers
- Propagation
- Propagation by seed will not produce plants true to type as this is a hybrid cultivar. 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
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealybugs and scale insects infestations
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease free