Singapore Tillandsia

Cirrhopetalum makoyanum is a prolific bloomer. It is found in Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines. Luckily this is found in low land forest, which means that it will keep blooming, given the right condition. This particular species that i have acquired has spike non-stop with every new growth. I grow them with direct morning sunlight with copious amount of water but does not allow it to remain wet for prolong period. During the growth stage, they relish fertiliser and water readily and can easily root overnight. The purpose of the root gives them an edge, once rooted, growth accelerates and the bulbs expands till a certain size and stop. Usually once the bulb grows to it’s attainable size, it starts to spike.

As you can see, the red dots on the thin sepal is certainly gorgeous, it resembles a pinwheel and some mentions of being daisy like. Despite the fact that the blooms are tiny but it keeps giving off spike after spike and sooner or later covers the entire media.

A top down perspective allows one to view the small hairs along the cap.

An a closeup on the flower.

All in all, Cirrhopetalum makoyanum is a very easy growing Bulbophyllum that provides endless joy through their flowers. Certainly a must have in all orchid collections.

Syn: Bulbophyllum corolliferum ; Cirrhopetalum curtisii

Common name: Wreath Carrying Cirrhopetalum

In Singapore cultivation, Bulbophyllum corolliferum thrives best under high light (2000-2500 fc) and amble watering with high humidity. Due to it’s long spike, it’s an advantage for photographers to isolate the subject.

Bulbophyllum corolliferum is a very strong and easy growing species that has maroon to red blooms. It is wide spread around South East Asia and requires light shade for excellent growth and bloom. It is a hot growing Bulbophyllum and it’s tiny lil’ flower has a unique scent. Here, it is suggested that small flies are the main pollinators, as the smell emitted resembles chlorine.

Interesting, there has been a few thousand kinds of Bulbophyllum in the wild. However, there seem to be one that keeps flowering in nurseries that caught my attention. The easy to grow, warm to hot growing Bulbophyllum lepidum is one of the most easily and readily available Bulbophyllum till date. Considering it’s commonality, i do not have much success with re-spiking it. I heard that according to some growers that it does not continuously bloom unless given the right condition. So what constitutes the right condition. Yes, high humidity and high light. Anyone of them missing, it will just grow bulbs after bulbs with no sign of flowering. It’s daisy like flower certainly captures a lot of growers and collectors attention, as it look out of this world with its’ flower. There are many colour variation of lepidum since they come from a vast array of sources. Some from Thailand, Malaysia and so on. It’s a really common Bulbophyllum and those who might want to start off, will certainly appreciate it’s ease of care.

Tried to search for picture of it with no luck and i had to wait nervously for the bloom. It’s indeed a gorgeous lil’ bloom.It’s a relatively new hybrid and there hasn’t been a name for it. This is the first to be published online. There is another bloom that resembles more of makoyanum instead of a mix of both.

Cirrhopetalum makoyanum x mastersianum ; Bulbophyllum makoyanum x mastersianum

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