If you think orchids are all about the classic Phalaenopsis sitting prettily on a windowsill, prepare to have your mind changed.
The genus Bulbophyllum is one of the largest and most diverse groups of orchids, with an enormous range of shapes, colours, sizes and growing habits.
They are particularly loved by orchid collectors for their unusual flowers. Some have delicate star-shaped blooms, some produce flowers in clusters, while others have intricate patterns that look almost too elaborate to have come from a plant.
Here are our top choices for fellow orchid lovers!
Bulbophyllum smitinandii
First up is Bulbophyllum smitinandii, which features a yellow, star-shaped bloom. It's wonderfully distinctive, making this one for anyone who likes their orchids on the unusual side.
Like many Bulbophyllum, it has a naturally compact growth habit and can make an excellent addition to a specialist orchid collection, particularly when grown somewhere you can appreciate its flowers up close.
Shop Bulbophyllum smitinandii at GrowTropicals →
Bulbophyllum auratum
The Bulbophyllum auratum is one that really needs to be seen in flower.
Its blooms have an intricate, almost otherworldly appearance, with details that reward a closer look. It is exactly the sort of orchid that makes you stop halfway through watering and think, "Hang on, what is that?"
And that is precisely why we love unusual orchids! There is something rather special about seeing all those months of growth pay off.
Shop Bulbophyllum auratum at GrowTropicals →
Bulbophyllum gibbosum
If miniture flowers are your thing, Bulbophyllum gibbosum deserves a spot on your wish list.Rather than producing one large, showy bloom, this species produces clusters of small white flowers. Together, they create a delicate display that is easy to overlook at first, but incredibly rewarding when viewed up close.
This is one of those plants where a photograph really does not tell the whole story. The individual flowers may be small, but the overall effect can be surprisingly impressive.
Shop Bulbophyllum gibbosum at GrowTropicals →
Bulbophyllum ambrosia
Bulbophyllum ambrosia is another charming species with plenty of personality. The flowers are wonderfully intricate, and the plant itself has the compact, collector-friendly character that makes many Bulbophyllum so appealing.
As with many unusual orchids, part of the enjoyment comes from learning how the plant grows and watching it develop over time. Rather than simply being a plant you buy for a flower display, it becomes something you can observe and get to know.
Shop Bulbophyllum ambrosia at GrowTropicals →
Bulbophyllum pardolatum
This species produces tiny orange blooms that are so mesmerising up close. They may not be the enormous, flamboyant flowers you associate with orchids, but that is exactly what makes them so appealing.
The smaller flowers also encourage you to look closely. Once you get into unusual orchids, you quickly discover that the best details are often the ones you would miss from across the room.
B. pardolatum is a brilliant example of why orchid collecting can become such a rabbit hole. You start with one unusual flower, then suddenly you are comparing species, researching habitats and rearranging your growing space to fit in "just one more".
We cannot say we haven't been there!
Shop Bulbophyllum pardolatum at GrowTropicals →
Bulbophyllum falcatum 'Green Form'
For collectors looking for something particularly distinctive, Bulbophyllum falcatum 'Green Form' is certainly worth the research.
This species is fascinating not only because of its flowers, but because of its unusual growth and overall appearance. It is the sort of orchid that looks interesting even when it is not flowering, which is always a bonus for collectors.
It is also a great reminder that orchids do not need to be in bloom to be fascinating plants.
If you enjoy unusual foliage, interesting growth habits and species that look completely different from the orchids found in supermarkets, this one deserves a closer look.
Shop Bulbophyllum falcatum 'Green Form' at GrowTropicals →
Bulbophyllum nymphopolitanum
Another unusual addition to the collection is Bulbophyllum nymphopolitanum.
Like many members of the genus, it offers something quite different from the classic orchid silhouette. Its unusual flowers and compact growth make it an intriguing choice for anyone building a more specialist collection.
Shop Bulbophyllum nymphopolitanum at GrowTropicals →
Bulbophyllum capitatum
And we could not finish our round-up without mentioning Bulbophyllum capitatum.
This is another fascinating species for collectors who want to explore the sheer diversity within the Bulbophyllum genus.
It is exactly the sort of orchid that reminds us why we love unusual plants so much. There is always another species to discover, another flower shape to admire and another growing habit to learn about.
And if you are anything like us, you may find yourself adding more than one to your collection.
After all, there is always room for one more orchid! 🌸