Bulbophyllum ambrosia, the sweet-smelling bulbophyllum, is a small hot- to cool-growing epiphytic species from southeastern Asia. B. ambrosia is a lithophyte that grows on limestone, so be sure to supply adequate calcium. This species blooms in late winter/early spring on 3″ pedicels, and the lovely pink-striped flowers are sweetly fragrant–a nice change for a bulbo.
Plants can be grown potted or mounted and would also do well in a terrarium. Easy to grow, and these are good-sized plants (5+ bulbs).
Bulbophyllum ambrosia is a miniature to small sized orchid species that grows as a lithophyte – on rocks and stones, and as an epiphyte – on trees found growing in areas of evergreen and deciduous forest. This miniature orchid species originates from China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
Bulbophyllum ambrosia is one of the few pleasingly fragrant Bulbophyllums. It is a small creeper that does very well mounted with warm temperatures and shady and moist growing conditions. Found in South Eastern China at lower elevations of 1000 to 4000 feet the one inch + flowers bloom in winter.
Bulbophyllum ambrosia grows happily both as a potted specimen in a free draining, speciality orchid compost comprised of large pieces of bark with perlite and pumice. Alternatively, plants can be mounted onto a piece of cork bark or tree fern, this is how I prefer to grow my plants.
Although it’s not a tall growing plant, this Bulbophyllum species soon grows to form a large, rather sprawling plant, it’s worth keeping this in mind when you choose a mount for your plants, as you may wish to select a larger piece of cork than you would choose for many other miniature orchids.
If you’d rather grow your plant in a container, choose a shallow container with plenty of large drainage holes. Don’t use a pot that is too large, it is better to under pot this plant, rather than to over pot it. Plants are best mounted or potted up in spring time, just as the plants are beginning to grow.
Bulbophyllum ambrosia grows well in warm and hot growing conditions with high humidity. This orchid species enjoys bright, filtered light and good air circulation.
The blooms that Bulbophyllum ambrosia produce are marked with red-maroon stripes. The flowers are very attractive, they have a crystalline quality and a faint hint of sparkle in the sunlight.
As well as looking good, Bulbophyllum ambrosia‘s blooms produce a pleasing, sweetly scented perfume, some says like coconut, others like honey and almonds!
Fragrant! A sweet pleasant aroma!
These are blooming size in a 4" pot, newly repotted about 1 to 2 years to bloom, grown from seed, limited!