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Species library › Bulbophyllum › Bulbophyllum lewisense
Orchids Partly documented

Bulbophyllum lewisense

Mount Lewis rope orchid

A tiny creeping epiphytic orchid endemic to a few high-altitude ranges of north Queensland, including Mount Lewis, Mount Carbine and the Windsor Tableland. It grows on the upper branches of rainforest trees where air moves freely, forming chains of small pseudobulbs with single thick leaves and bearing single tiny white flowers from August to October. It needs a mount, cool to intermediate temperatures, high humidity and constant air movement.

At home, aim for
Day IntermediateTargets in Plantistry
Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry
Humidity Humid airBand in Plantistry
Light Bright, filtered lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry
No rest periodGrows on trees (epiphyte)

Where it grows wild

An epiphyte on the upper branches of upland rainforest trees, especially where there is free air movement. These are cool, cloud-affected forests where branches are frequently wet with mist but dry quickly in the breeze.

Measured records run from 960 to 1,240 m (median 1,100 m); the literature gives 1,000–1,250 m.

North-east Queensland, Australia: Mount Lewis, Mount Carbine and Mount Windsor tablelands

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates
✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it
✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light
✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it
✓ Substrate and airflow
✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.