Orchid ‘Bulbophyllum Rothschildianum’

Bulbophyllum rothschildianum is an orchid found in Yunnan, Sikkim, Assam and parts of Myanmar, were it grows on trees of lowland forests with moderate to cool temperature. Bulbophyllum rothschildianum is also known as the Rothschild’s Bulbophyllum, named after the orchid enthusiastic and banker family Rothschild from England. Back in the days imported orchids used to be highly priced commodities throughout Europe, they were rare, exotic and difficult to cultivate. The Rothschild family of England, one of the wealthiest families in the world in the 19th century, had a particular passion for orchids and their peculiarities. As early connoisseurs of imported orchids, the family contributed immensely to the early horticulture of orchids in England. It is hard to resist taking a second look at this bulbophyllum, each spike has multiple blooms that are arranged in an umbellate fan. The top sepal has little hairs that dance with the slightest amount of air movement, and the two side petals wrap to the front of the bloom like a skirt. On closer observation, the petals are adorned with shiny granules that look like tiny beads. Like many other bulbophyllums, Rothschild’s Bulbophyllum also has a bright-coloured lip which jiggles.