Habitat and Ecology
​Bulbophyllum longissimum, commonly known as the Long-Petaled Bulbophyllum, is an exceptional epiphytic orchid native to Southeast Asia, with a distribution including Thailand, Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, and Borneo. It is found growing on tree trunks and branches in lowland tropical forests and humid, wet, sub-montane forests at lower elevations. This orchid thrives in a hot to warm growing regime, requiring constantly high humidity and excellent air circulation to support its unique, long floral segments.
​Description
​This orchid is a small-to-medium-sized, sympodial perennial that forms clusters of conical or ovoid pseudobulbs, each bearing a single, long, leathery, oblong leaf. The plant is famous for its dramatic and bizarre floral display. The inflorescence is a pendent spike that typically bears an umbel (cluster) of 5 to 10 flowers, usually blooming in spring and autumn. The flowers are large and showy, predominantly pale cream, pink, or yellowish-pink. The petals and dorsal sepal are normal-sized, but the two lateral sepals are fused at the base and extend into extremely long, trailing filaments that can measure up to 30 cm (12 inches) in length—the feature for which it is named (longissimum). The flowers are fragrant, though some describe the scent as musky or earthy, typical of fly-pollinated orchids.
​Cultivation
​Bulbophyllum longissimum is a warm-growing orchid that requires high humidity and should be grown in a warm greenhouse, humid cabinet, or terrarium in the UK. It needs bright, filtered light and should be protected from direct, scorching sun. Due to its sprawling and often pendent flower spikes, it is best mounted on cork bark or grown in a wide, shallow basket using a fine, moisture-retentive mix of bark, sphagnum moss, and perlite. The medium must be kept evenly moist at all times; do not allow the roots to dry out completely.
​Optimal Daytime Temperature: 21-30 C (70-86 F)
​Optimal Nighttime Temperature: A small drop is beneficial, ideally 18-20 C (64-68 F).
​High humidity (70-85%) and good air movement are essential. Water frequently (often daily if mounted) with tepid, soft water. Feed regularly during the growing season with a balanced, dilute liquid orchid feed.
​Unique Features
​This is a spectacular, must-have collector's orchid due to its extraordinary floral length—the ultra-long, trailing lateral sepals give the flowers a striking, delicate, and feathery appearance that seems to float in mid-air. Its sheer drama makes it one of the most sought-after species in the Bulbophyllum genus. The flowers' structure is a fascinating example of extreme insect-mimicry pollination.
​Specifications
​Plant Size: Growing on mounts , these plants have recently reached flowering size. See pictures.
​Plant Family: Orchidaceae
​Plant Passport: A Bulbophyllum longissimum B 140084 C [user input] D GB