Name: Bulbophyllum Frank Smith
Synonyms:
Etymology: Named after the name chosen by the breeder for this registration.
First description: Registered in 1999 by B. Thoms. It is a primary hybrid of Bulbophyllum lobbii × Bulbophyllum carunculatum (syn. Bulbophyllum amplebracteatum subsp. carunculatum).
Origin / Distribution:
Cultivated hybrid (the parent species originate from Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia and the Philippines).
Location / Habitat:
This hybrid does not exist in nature. However, it prefers conditions similar to those of its parent species from tropical lowland and mountain forests: warm to intermediate, partial shade, and high year-round humidity with good air circulation.
Description & Notes:
Bulbophyllum Frank Smith is a vigorous and very popular hybrid known for its striking, large, solitary flowers. It combines the robust characteristics and star-shaped flower structure of Bulbophyllum lobbii with the intense colors and prominently textured lip of Bulbophyllum carunculatum. The flowers are usually yellowish to intense amber, often streaked with fine reddish-brown lines or speckles, and possess the hinged lip typical of the genus.

In cultivation, this hybrid often proves more adaptable and free-flowering than the pure species due to the hybrid vigor effect. Because of the creeping growth habit of the pseudobulbs, it is recommended to grow them in shallow bowls, baskets, or mounted on large pieces of cork. The substrate (medium bark or sphagnum moss) should be kept consistently moist during the growth phase without becoming waterlogged. High humidity (over 70%) supports the vigorous development of new shoots.