Per Rogier van Vugt, the Head Gardener at the greenhouses at Leiden University and at Hortus botanicus Leiden, from Noordwijk, Zuid-Holla...Read Morend, Netherlands:
"Bulbophyllum lasianthum is a very spectacular large species that's rarely seen in collections. The dark red flowers are formed on a nodding flower stem. On the shady forest floor where they grow on large boulders they are therefore not so conspicuous. That is untill you take a good sniff. The flowers spread a very strong aroma of rotting meat to attract pollinating flies. In the greenhouse it's therefore impossible to miss this plant when it flowers as the scent is noticeable meters away. It's very easy to grow but it's really not a houseplant. Not only will your friends think weird things about you when it flowers due to the awful stench of death on your house, it also requires a high humidity, warmth and a lot of space to creep around. I wouldn't say it's impossible"
Per Rogier van Vugt, the Head Gardener at the greenhouses at Leiden University and at Hortus botanicus Leiden, from Noordwijk, Zuid-Holla...Read More