Bulbophyllum Moniliforme

The microest of our micro-orchids, this little epiphytic bulbophyllum is commonly known as fish eggs! The pseudobulbs are generally around 1-2mm across with leaves around 2-3mm. The flower spike is generally 1-2.5 cm, with flowers around 2mm wide.

New leaves form in the late summer/early fall, and drop in the winter. In late winter/early spring spikes form with a single flower.

Our orchids are sold with around 2.5 square cm of pseudobulbs. My holdback is doing extremely well split into segments of 5-8 bulbs, even the single bulb I knocked off on accident is sitting on a tiny piece of sphagnum on the wall and putting off roots. I did this to test different light intensities, and every one has been at least moderately successful. The lowest light one is growing quite slowly but no die-off. The highest light one experienced some die-off before I realized it was too dry, now with a cozy bed of sphagnum it is recovering nicely. The most successful segments were all in the middle of the tank, with high moisture. I’m seeing about 1 new bulb and leaf a week from each of these middle segments.

It is important to maintain moisture, these little specimens seem sensitive to drying out, and require fairly high airflow like most orchids. I have seen accounts of it being kept as a houseplant, so I don’t believe humidity is as important as moisture.

With the unique green pebbly texture it brings to the terrarium even when out of bloom and leaf, this is definitely a highlight of our new Asian orchid selection and quickly becoming a personal favorite!

Flowers are a translucent light orange with darker orange stripes. Flowers are about 2cm long.

View flower images here.

Soil:

Mount out of the soil either on a branch or back wall with a small amount of sphagnum moss.

Humidity :

Does well in 70+ humidity, needs decent airflow or roots can rot.

Light :

Prefers shaded indirect light. Can tolerate full light.