Bulbophyllum bicolor is also called as The Two Colored Bulbophyllum.
Synonyms:
Cirrhopetalum bicolor
Phyllorchis bicolor
It is a species of the genus Bulbophyllum. This species was described by Lindley in 1830.
Bulbophyllum bicolor is native to China. They grow near Hong Kong in the New Territories on rocks and cliffs along streams at elevations of 100 to 500 meters. It is a miniature sized, hot growing lithophyte, which can reach 13 cm high. The Bulbophyllum bicolor blooms in the spring with few flowers of 1.25 cm.
Light:
Bulbophyllum bicolor needs a light level of 12000-20000 lux. The light should be dispersed or filtered and direct sunlight should be avoided, especially at higher temperatures.
Temperature:
It is a thermophilic plant. In summer the average day temperature is 28-29°C, night 24°C, which gives a daily difference of 4-5°C. In winter, the average day temperature is 15-18°C, at night 11-13°C, with a daily amplitude of 4-5°C.
Humidity:
This species needs an average humidity of 80% for most of the year, but drops to 65-70% in 3-4 months in late autumn and early winter.
Substrate, growing media:
Bulbophyllum bicolor will probably grow better mounted on tree fern washers or on pieces of boughs with uneven surfaces with high humidity and should be watered several times a day during hot and dry weather. This plant can also grown in shallow pots or baskets using a very loose, fast-drying substrate. Different amounts of humectant additives, such as perlite or cut sphagnum moss, can be mixed with a basic material consisting of small to medium sized pieces of pine bark or tree fern fiber.
Repotting:
After dividing or repotting, the plants often return to their normal state for almost a year. If the substrate has not decomposed but the plant has grown out of the container, you can move the plant with the whole root ball and substrate to a larger basket or pot without disturbing the roots. If repotting is necessary, it is best to do it when the new roots are already starting to grow, to allow the plant to root as quickly as possible. Plants should, however, be repotted immediately after finding out that the substrate has decomposed.
Watering:
During spring to autumn, Bulbophyllum bicolor should be watered frequently. They should only dry a little between watering, but the ground can not be soggy or stale. In the autumn, watering should be gradually reduced.
Fertilizer:
During the active growth of the plant, 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids is fed weekly. You can use a balanced fertilizer all year round, but you can use a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content from spring to mid-summer, and a high phosphorus content in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
In the winter, Bulbophyllum bicolor should only be occasionally fogged between light watering, every two weeks. Fertilization should be reduced or completely eliminated until more intense watering starts in the spring.