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Cirrhopetalum
Elizabeth Ann 'Buckleberry' Fcc/Aos, is a warm growing epiphytic
hybrid of Cirr. longissimum x Cirr. rothschildianum. Cirrhopetalums,
part of the genus Bulbophyllum, are native to the rainforests
of southeast Asia, including Borneo and the Philippines. The
inflorescence of this hybrid holds a ring of 8 to 10 flowers,
which measure up to 9 inches long. |
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A close-up of
the flowers shows the details of the fringed petals and dorsal
sepal. The tongue-like lip is loosely hinged, so that it "bobbles"
with the slightest breeze. The long, trailing parts of the flowers
are the lateral sepals. Typical of many Bulbophyllums, the flowers
"fragrance" is that of rotting flesh, which draws the
flies that pollinate the flowers. The fly crawls upon the lip,
and when it crawls back far enough, the lip rocks backwards,
forcing the fly against the pollinia.
Cirrhopetalum Elizabeth Ann 'Buckleberry' is quite vigorous in
growing and blooming. I bought this plant as a five-growth division
in 1995, and now it has numerous leads which produced 397 flowers
in the fall of 2002. The plant does very well planted in a hanging
wooden basket with New Zealand sphagnum moss. The plant is kept
moist at all times and fertilized routinely with a balanced fertilizer.
Each spring, the plant receives a moderate dose of blood meal,
which really seems to boost the growth. Culture includes bright
indirect light (2000 to 3000 footcandles), temperatures 65 to
90F, and humidity 70 to 90%. |
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