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Species library › Bulbophyllum › Bulbophyllum minutissimum
Orchids Well documented

Bulbophyllum minutissimum

Red bead orchid

One of the smallest Australian orchids, forming dense mats of reddish or green bead-like pseudobulbs only 2–3 mm across, with tiny scale leaves and red-striped flowers about 2.5 mm long. It grows on trees and rocks along the east coast from central Queensland to southern New South Wales. It is best grown mounted in bright, humid, well-ventilated conditions with a mild winter.

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

Where it grows wild

Epiphyte or lithophyte forming dense mats on trees and rocks in rainforest, dry sclerophyll forest, swamps, stream banks and mangroves. It usually grows on exposed, well-lit bark and rock where air moves freely. Flowering is from October to November.

The NSW flora gives sea level to about 300 m; the 27 records with an elevation span 1–940 m (median 520 m), so it also reaches higher inland sites such as the Blackdown Tableland.

QueenslandNew South Wales

🔒 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.