Virtual Orchids - Week 135 Bulbophyllum prianganense

Bulbophyllum prianganense

Week 135: June 2, 2026

Bulbophyllum prianganense

IMG_5522.mov

Bulbophyllum prianganense, J. J. Sm. 1913, is accepted species by POWO, Kew. Bulbophyllum prianganense belong to section Stachysanthes (Bl.) J. J. Vern. & P. O'Byrne 2008 (by orchidspecies.com). The native range of this species is Sumatera to W. Jawa, Borneo. It is a pseudobulbous epiphyte and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. This is a cool growing species and found on elevations around 1400 meters as a small sized.

Previous Awards:

There is no AOS awards in OrchidPro for Bulbophyllum prianganense.

Description:

The candidate plant has 203 flowers on 14 arching inflorescences up to 13-cm. The plant is 20-cm wide by 26-cm tall and grown mounted on stick. Leaves are 7 to 13-cm long by 1.7-cm wide. Flowers are triangular shaped, pale yellow and oriented up and down on inflorescence.

Flower Measurements:

NS H - 1.5 cm; NS V - 0.5 cm;

Dorsal Sep. W - 0.2 cm; Dorsal Sep. L - 0.6 cm;

Lat/Sepal W - 0.2 cm; Lat/Sepal L - 0.7 cm;

Lip/Pouch W - 0.1 cm; Lip/Pouch L - 0.2 cm.

Petal are too small to measure.

Judges' Comments

Al Messina (Accredited Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

Plant is nicely grown but poorly groomed. Should qualify for easy CBR. If a bit larger and leaves trimmed to appear lanceolate and not club shaped,

(removal of all brown tip necrotic portions) could qualify for CCM.

CBR: The plant exists and is an orchid. No horticultural value.

CHM: The plant exists and has some characteristics which might be useful in horticulture, such as color, size, form, floriferousness, arrangement, flowers which, on hybridization, might add desirable features to other flowers, etc. Additionally, CHM may be granted for a distinctly different feature, such as a different color form.

If a plant (species or natural hybrid) displays flower or cultural award criteria and is initially presented to AOS judges, flower or cultural awards may be granted provisionally, pending SITF confirmation. This would preclude any CBR; however, a CHM might be granted in the future if, eg, a new color form is apparent.

The present candidate might have had a good number of flowers but they were not desirable for hybridization, in my opinion, except, perhaps, serendipitously. Should this plant grow well over the next few years and produce many more flowers, it could qualify for a cultural award, and still not qualify for a CHM, unless some CHM-qualifying characteristic is discovered.

Flower form is not good and will take many generations to improve when hybridized. There is no quality of the flower which would be desirable. This would require the breeder to wait a century to get acceptable form during which time the floriferousness would likely be lost. It is difficult to flatten a Bulbophyllum. Not impossible but difficult.

The correct ‘award’ would be a CBR. Subsequently a CCM/CCE might be appropriate. QED!!

Kris Mason (Accredited Judge, Cincinnati Judging Center)

Well grown and flowered interesting plant and flowers. Photos do not give enough detail to definitively identify. Botanical recognition (CBR) and proper ID are warranted (SITF). I can sort of see the disc-shaped pseudobulb with lanceolate leaf as per the very sparse description I can find of the species. Space between pseudobulbs seems narrow compared to description of 3-6 inches but difficult to tell for sure from pictures and presentation. Peduncle should have brown spotting (cannot see if it does).

Paul Wetter (Senior Judge, West Palm Beach Judging Center)

Thank you for submitting this very lovely and well grown species - Bulbophyllum prianganense. This plant has aesthetic appeal as a specimen and is well grown. I would think it deserves recognition as both a CHM with verification and Culture Award or CCM at about 82points. Very interested in what the others think and hearing their thoughts about this plant.

Best Regards

Paul Wetter

Bill Thoms (Bulbophyllums.com)

While the AOS hasn't recognized the plant, this candidate isn't a worthy clone for the following reasons (in my humble opinion):

1. the species is already well-described in orchidspecies.com

2. this clone's flowers seem inferior to the above clone

3. this clone's plant condition doesn't rise to a level to represent the species

so, CBR seems a disservice to the species, plant is in poor shape as a representative and better flowers are shown in a well-known site.

Keep up the thankless work, you're doing a good thing.

Tom Mirenda (Accredited Judge, Hawaii Judging Center)

I have grown many Bulbophyllums over the years and I've seen a few species that have very similar flowers and inflorescences....However searching photoarchives and databases for something like this is next to impossible in such a Huge megagenus (thank you LUMPERS!) and I don't remember the names on the plants I've cultivated at Smithsonian and privately.

I am really dubious about this identity, and at the risk of being called a lumper myself....don't want to perpetuate different names of plants for things already named.....wish I had the time to adequately investigate, but I simply don't

I will say that it greatly resembles Bulbophyllum cocoinum which I'm told is African.....and this one is Indonesian, right?

I will say that it is an interesting, attractive species (probably pleasingly fragrant) worthy of cultivation and therefore would, if deemed valid, a CHM....of maybe 84 points would be warranted

Hugz!

Tom

Christian Carrillo (Accredited Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

This, for me, is a classic CHM award (over a CBR) and I would nominate for the following reasons:

High number of total flowers that make for an interesting and showy presentation.
Cascading inflorescences are graceful and add to the plant's charm.
Each inflorescence has an impressive flower count.
The inflorescences are as long, if not longer, than the vegetative growth. This adds to a "wow" factor.
While the flowers themselves are small, the number on each inflorescence creates a "big" impact.
My assumption — because of the number of inflorescences — is that this is an easier blooming plant.
The flowers are in very good condition.
While each individual flower screams CBR (at best), the overall impression and potential of the plant elevate it to a CHM for me.

I would not consider this plant for any other award at present.

David Edgley (Accredited Judge, Western Canada Judging Center)

What an interesting little plant you have for us this time. I think most discussion will revolve around whether to grant a Certificate of Botanical Recognition (CBR) or a Certificate of Horticultural Merit (CHM). After reviewing the criteria for each award, I would vote to give this plant a CBR. It’s interesting, yes - but I don’t see it having “outstanding aesthetic appeal that contributes to the horticultural aspects of orchidology” as the CHM requires. Then again, this might just be a case of personal taste.

David

Muthiah Vijayendran (Student Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

Bulbophyllum prianganense belongs to Section Stachysanthes and it is recognized by POWO and AOS. However, it has not yet received an AOS award. IOSPE lists 76 species under this section. The current edition of Malesian Orchid Journal (Vol. 28, 2026) contains the photo of another hitherto unnamed species. Of over 76+ species belonging to this section, following three have been awarded by the AOS: B. apodum ‘Jardin Botanique de Montreal’ (CHM), B. obliquum ‘Winswept’ (CBR), B. korthalsii ‘Irene’ (CHM) and B. korthalsii ‘River Valley’ (CHM). The inflorescence and the flowers of this candidate closely resemble the latter two species. The candidate, 20-cm wide x 26-cm tall, mounted on a stick, has long rhizomes and creeps bearing small pseudobulbs at about 10-cm intervals. Leaves 7 to 16-cm long x 1.7-cm wide, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, with a distinct + 2-cm petiole; Inflorescences, 14, to 13-cm, arching, with peduncle to 6.5-cm, bearing many flowers placed closely together on the rachis; Flowers, 203, + 1.7-cm long, stellate, not opening widely; Sepals, 0.2-cm wide, linear, broader basally, narrowed into long filamentous, lateral sepals, 0.7-cm, longer than the dorsal, 0.6-cm; Petals, 0.17-cm long, lanceolate, acute; Lip, 0.2-cm long x 0.1-cm wide, triangular, channeled at the base with two thickenings, convex and curved downward distally; margins of petals and the lip, papillose.

(References: Candidate’s measurements; IOSPE; Orchids of Java; Coomber)

From the yellowing leaves, it does appear that the candidate plant was exposed to highlight, warm temperature and moisture. It may require them together to initiate buds; perhaps, the light level was a bit higher. It is a well grown specimen plant, so I would nominate it for a cultural award along with a CHM.

Jay Balchan (Associate Judge, Alamo Judging Center)

So where to start with a plant that has no award record? Well the first place is to grant it a CBR. David sent out a request when he was JC chair that every species seen by AOS judging should have a CBR with the all important picture set that is required. As this has no existing CBR, it should be granted that recognition.

Now on to flower quality judging and cultural judging. For a flower in the 1cm range that does not open fully, it is tough to consider it for flower quality, especially in the absence of any awarded comparables. An internet search also did not yield any results except for photos from Jay Pfahl’s site. The flowers on the candidate plant look very similar to the pictures from orchidspecies.com, but perhaps a bit yellower and maybe less “graceful”? I would not nominate it to be judged on flower quality.

As for culture, the plant is very well presented and flowered… especially growing a Bulbo mounted! Again, there are no award comparibles and no other photos I could find of entire plants. So it is hard to say if the plant easily reaches a specimen size or if this is a real outlier. However, looking closely at the plant, there are a least two leaf tips that have been cut off and another few that look like they need to be cut off. And several of the intact leaves show significant yellowing towards the end of the leaves. This plant must be very sensitive to salt buildup. The inflorescences were also not very well arranged around the plant. Based on all that, I would have to pass on nominating it for cultural scoring as well.

Josephine deBeaubien (Associate Judge, Pacific South Judging Center)

Virtual Judging: WK 135: June 23, 2026 – Bulbophyllum prianganense

This was discovered in 1913, and, surprisingly, it has not been recognized. I looked on OrchidWiz and on OrchidRoots, and neither has photos. The only photo I could find was on orchidspecies.com. (https://orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/bulbophprianganense.jpg). It does appear to be the same species as our candidate plant. I feel it is important to recognize a species that is not recorded in OP. I recommend a Certificate of Botanical Recognition (CBR) for this, as it is worthy of recognition for rarity and educational value.

Steve Gonzalez-Costa (Accredited Judge, Chicago Judging Center)

A very interesting species. Really looks like almost a Masdevallia to me. To verify that it has not been awarded, I did a basic search, then I also ‘prianganense’, then a full search with ‘prianganense’ only (sometimes something pops up) and then a full search adding “Bulbophyllum” and “prianganense”. Like I said, after 15 seconds, I did all three and verified that Sergey was right on saying….there is nothing. I always double and triple check things, that’s how I also find strange things in OrchidPro and if I find anything funny, I mention for AOS to investigate. Then come POWO/Kew, the internet and yes, it exists and looks like that, at least for now. Orchid Roots also has species listed and says that it was described by J.J.Sm. 1913 (POWO). So long ago and never brought to a judging? So, there is really only one thing we can do and that is record a CBR first and send to SITF to let the experts (nope, I’m not a junior taxonomist), record dimensions, photos and all the SITF form asks for then enter in the system to validate the name. Most Bulbophyllums grow to the extent (when grown properly and they are happy) that they turn in a lawn – so as we might judge that maybe this plant might not be worthy of a flower awards, it seems pretty well grown, I would nominate it and score as an 80 point CCM. There are blemishes on some leave that would preclude it coming anywhere a higher culture award, but why not reward the GROWER with a COM if it indeed turns out to be Bulbphyllum prianganense. If it turns out to be something else, the judging team Captain must be prepared to decide what happens next, if it is compared to something that has been recorded or if the award is dropped surely as a CBR, maybe as a CHM. But why not do something about it. Not all orchids are perfect and showy, but all are interesting. That is my path give CBR, score CCM (low point 80 or 81 possibly). In 2025, in our center, we awarded a Bulbophyllum skeatianum that turned out to be Bulbophyllum retusiusculum. It really was nice, but not good enough for anything else. But we did not deny it a chance to try and get something, even if it ended up annulled as a CBR as others were awarded prior as retusiusculum.

Virginia Kristo (Student Judge, Pacific Central Judging Center)

Bulbophyllum prianganense is a species native to an area from Sumatra to West Borneo.

This Bulbophyllum prianganense is a well grown plant. The plant is large and well established with over 200 flowers. Since the species has never been recognized by the AOS, I would nominate it for a Certificate of Botanical Recognition (CBR) pending identification by SITF.

Best Regards,

Virginia

Deb Jenson (Student Judge, Chicago Judging Center)

I love it when you host something I haven't seen before, and I'm guessing many others haven't either, given there are no AOS awards for this plant. I had difficulty finding a photo of this plant, so I used orchidspecies.com for comparison.

The plant itself looks very healthy with leaves that have very little trimming and only a few yellow tips. With 14 inflorescences evenly distributed and standing out from the leaves, it has an overall pleasing appearance. I would like to see better consistency across the flowers, meaning they all point in the same direction and have a similar form. I find the butter-yellow color of the inflorescence and the flowers attractive; they contrast well against the green leaves.

I do hope this reaches an AOS judging table, as it's certainly worthy of a CBR award, and it would be good to have a record of this. It's a lovely plant that's grown well, and I'm sure the owner was pleased with its blooming; I know I would be.

Deb Jenson

Gail Kronick (Student Judge, Pacific South Judging Center)

Here is my evaluation of this plant. It’s a beautiful specimen and is a great example of why your virtual judging website is so valuable. We would not be able to see something like this otherwise! A great learning experience.

This is a beautiful miniature specimen with fascinating inflorescences that remind me of little feather dusters. Since there is no established record in the AOS database, I would propose that it be properly identified by SITF and would give it a low CHM of 80 points. I would pick a CHM over a CBR because, as demonstrated by the candidate plant, this plant has real aesthetic appeal when grown properly and allowed to put out multiple inflorescences. If the judging team could not make it to 80 points, I would push for a CBR to at least get this into the records for future judging teams to reference, as this plant could have potential for cultural awards later on down the line.

Gail Kronick

Barbara Putko (Student Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

Bulbophyllum prianganense

According to KEW, this species has one synonym Bulbophyllum hamatifolium J.J.Sm. in Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, sér. 2, 13: 26 (1914). Looking in OP, there are no awards.

I looked to see what was awarded in the Stachysanthes section of Bulbophyllum.

Bulbophyllum apodum ‘Jardin Botanique De Montreal’ CHM/AOS 82 pts

Oct 31, 1998, with 850 flowers on 17 inflorescences

Bulbophyllum stelis ‘Irene’ CHM/AOS 81 pts

June 16, 2012, with 694 flowers, 40 buds on 24 inflorescences

Bulbophyllum odoratum ‘Wappingers Falls’ CBR/AOS May 19, 2001

with 308 flowers and 185 buds on 6 inflorescences

Bulbophyllum odoratum ‘Newberry’ CBR/AOS Sept. 14 2002

with 445 flowers and 2 buds on 2 inflorescences

Bulbophyllum odoratum var obtusisepalum ‘Micheline Fabre’ CHM/AOS 87 pts

Dec 13, 2025, with 750 flowers and 50 buds on 4 inflorescences

Looking at our candidate, I see a fairly well grown plant with 14 arching inflorescences, 203 nicely spaced wispy inflorescences. This candidate looks to have been growing very well, for the inflorescences are evenly spaces around the mount. The sepals and petals are pale yellow with a green cast in color. Looking at the petals, I see some light brown spotting. When looking at the one arched inflorescence at a distance, it seems to be in balance. The inflorescences all seem to ‘face’ the same way. Though when you look close at the actual flower, the petals and sepals curve every which way then want. No two are alike giving you the wispy natural look.

Given there are no awards in OP for this species, I would nominate it for a Cultural Award.

Now the question - CHM or CBR. It could go for a CBR since there are no awards on record. All awards in this section Stachysanthes - Bulbophyllum, the awarded plants all have a very high flower count and our candidate only has 203 flowers. Though we do have a high inflorescent count of 14 while the awarded plants with one exception have a low count. Orchid Species states ‘densely flowered inflorescence’. Is our candidate densely flowered with approximately 14 ½ flowers per inflorescence? I believe that is a visual decision.

It could go for a CHM but it would need a score of at least 80 points. You have to take into consideration if this species has horticultural merit. What good qualities from this species pass along to its offspring. Flower characteristics with regard to form, color and size. On this candidate the form is cattywampus, no two flowers are the same, the color is very pale almost translucent and extremely small. My total score here would be 5 – 6 – 7 for a total of 18. Plant characteristic with regard to robustness, condition and floriferousness. The candidate is mounted and well grown. It looks to be in fairly good mechanical condition, some leaf tip damage but that could be just from the photograph angle. As for floriferousness, comparing to what was awarded in this Section under Stachysanthes, the flower count suggests it could be under flowered. However, we judge what we see, 203 flowers on 14 inflorescences evenly spaced on the candidate makes an impressive display. My scoring on this would be 10 – 9 – 10 for a total of 29. Aesthetic appeal – Looking at the candidate with leaves sprouting out from the base and the arching inflorescences with the cattywampus flowers, is off balance, not a pleasing display of flowers. My score would be 25. Total 72.

Regardless, of which award, the candidate would have to go through SITF for verification processing before the award could be fully granted.

Barbara Putko

Student Judge

Northeast Judging Center

Mike Arwari (Student Judge, Pacific South Judging Center)

Description:

The candidate plant has 203 flowers on 14 arching inflorescences up to 13-cm. The plant is 20-cm wide by 26-cm tall and grown mounted on stick. Leaves are 7 to 13-cm long by 1.7-cm wide. Flowers are triangular shaped, pale yellow and oriented up and down on inflorescence.

Flower Measurements:

NS H - 1.5 cm; NS V - 0.5 cm;

Dorsal Sep. W - 0.2 cm; Dorsal Sep. L - 0.6 cm;

Lat/Sepal W - 0.2 cm; Lat/Sepal L - 0.7 cm;

Lip/Pouch W - 0.1 cm; Lip/Pouch L - 0.2 cm.

Petal are too small to measure

Dorsal sepal acicular with a concave center; apice narrowly acute; margins are smooth; the entire structure is a light yellow color. Lateral sepals lanceolate; slightly involute; uniformly light yellow in color; light brown spots proximally; margins smooth, petals small; ovate, triangular; light yellow, lip ovate.

Assessment:

This is a floriferous plant with an abundance of flowers! The flowers are arranged in an asymmetrical manner along the inflorescences. The large number of flowers makes for a spectacular sight, The uniform yellow color does make for an overall attractive sight.

This is a plant of high quality in every aspect. and meets every requirement to be awarded a Certificate of Botanical Recognition.

As per the AOS Handbook on judging, a Certificate of Botanical Recognition (CBR) is awarded to a cultivar of a species, subspecies, variety, or natural hybrid deemed especially worthy of recognition for rarity, novelty, or educational value previously unrecorded by AOS. The entire plant must be exhibited. The plant must be established in or upon its growing medium, in good condition, and while it need have no special horticultural value, it must be deemed by the judging team to be representative of the taxon being recognized.
No award of any kind may have previously been made to the taxon. A taxon may be granted a second CBR only to correct a clear taxonomic error in the record and the description of such an award must clearly state the reason for the second award.

This plant fulfill every requirement to receive a Certificate of Botanical Recognition (CBR).

Judie Armstrong (Associate Judge, Florida North-Central Judging Center)

This is a very well grown and flowered plant. I have never seen one before and researching on the internet it appears to be the same taxon as pictures from the internet and Internet Orchid Enclyclopedia. There have not been any awards to this species. For that reason I would nominate it for a Certificate of Botanical Recognition. The handbook states in section VI.C.3.b. that no award has been previously awarded to the taxon. And the judging team must deem it to be representative of the taxon being represented. I feel it representates the taxon.

Thank you,

Judie

Exhibitor - Jan Teitsworth (Southerneast Pennsylvania Orchid Society, PA)

Virtual Award Description

Two hundred and three whimsical flowers on 14 pendulous inflorescences up to 13.0-cm originating from the base of each leaf, presented on a 20.0-cm wide by 26.0-long unusual plant grown on a wooden mount; plant sympodial, roots fine, silver-gray to pale green, some root tips green; disc-shaped pseudobulb with a single, lanceolate, narrowing apically; flowers triangular, pale yellow; sepals narrowly lanceolate, caudate; petals minute; lip entire, widely acute; column and anther cap pale yellow; substance medium; texture crystalline; native to western Java, commended for rarity in cultivation and educational value; provisional pending SITF identification confirmation.

Grower's Advice

I purchased this plant from Andy’s Orchids when visiting his growing area in California in February 2022.

I grow this plant in a large aquaria / terrarium in my basement. Temp (75) and humidity (80%) stay fairly constant.

I have a 4 foot 40W full spectrum LED Growlight and I have measured about 100-150 micro mol/m2/s of light. So low light.

Since it is mounted on a stick, I must water every other day. This past winter I had the bottom of the stick sitting in a shallow dish of water.

Don’t know if this helped or not, but I received many more spikes (14) than in the past. In June 23’ and 24’, the plant had 3 spikes. It also bloomed in Dec of 24’ and 25’, but only 2 spikes.

In the summer, I move it outdoors and it hangs under a large maple tree getting only filtered sun.

Sadly, the blooms do not last very long and I have not been able to take to judging. This year would have been the year, since it had 14 spikes with over 200 blooms.

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