Overwintering guide
How to overwinter strongly-scented bulbophyllum
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — strongly-scented bulbophyllum uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
The mistake that kills strongly-scented bulbophyllum in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and strongly-scented bulbophyllum rots from the base.
More strongly-scented bulbophyllum care
Overwintering strongly-scented bulbophyllum — FAQ
Does strongly-scented bulbophyllum need to come indoors for winter?
Strongly-Scented Bulbophyllum is hardy to roughly USDA zone 11 — winter lows around 4°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Strongly-Scented Bulbophyllum is frost-tender, so overwintering means bringing it inside and letting it rest rather than pushing it to grow. Move it indoors well before the first frost, give it the brightest spot you have (light levels indoors drop sharply in winter), and keep it away from both cold window glass and hot radiators — the swing between the two does more damage than the cold itself.
When should I move strongly-scented bulbophyllum for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water strongly-scented bulbophyllum in winter?
Cut watering right back — strongly-scented bulbophyllum uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills strongly-scented bulbophyllum over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and strongly-scented bulbophyllum rots from the base.