What is the smallest Phal? & Others?

[Kezyma]

Hi Folks,

Since i last posted on here, my orchid collection has grown considerably and I've managed to do quite well with growing them! Unfortunately, I'm running out of room rapidly.

To combat the space issue, I figured I'd start going for smaller and smaller orchids, I know that many places sell young Phals as 'mini' orchids, but that is usually before they become fully grown!

What is the smallest Phal variety that you know of when fully grown? And on top of that, what are some other small orchids you folks would recommend?

The first plant I bought entirely on size, was an Ascocentrum pusillum that has yet to adapat to the terrarium, but certainly doesnt seem to be unhappy as of yet! Will post pictures when it flowers

Thanks All!

Edit: Something that will thrive at 25-30 during the day and 20-25 at night, depending on season, humidity controlling isn't much of an issue!

[Leafmite]

I am not a Phal grower but I do understand the need for finding smaller orchids due to space limitations. Good luck!

[orchidsarefun]

Phals LOC Island Delicate, LOC Island Sunset.
I have the former and its less than 7cm leafspan.

You can find photos of both here ( search for Sunset )
Phalaenopsis – Louisiana Orchid Connection

These probably aren't available overseas, so search for hainanensis, deliciosa or wilsonii - species or hybrids with one of these as a parent.

Smallest phals I know of.....

[sweetjblue]

Phalaenopsis appendiculata is the smallest I can think of.

Would be a great candidate for a terrarium as they really like warmth and humidity and are best grown that way.



.

[Ray]

Phalaenopsis deliciosa - mine recently bloomed on a 4" leaf span.

Phal. wilsonii, Phal. chibae are also small.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Ray

Phalaenopsis deliciosa - mine recently bloomed on a 4" leaf span.

Phal. wilsonii, Phal. chibae are also small.

P deliciosa is quite small, but there are smaller species. P appendiculata is considered to be THE smallest Phal. Others among the true miniature Phals include braceana, chibae, cochlearis, hainanensis, lowii, parishii, thailandica and wilsonii. I know I've missed a copuple, but these are the ones I grow. None of these will grow a single leaf longer than about 1.5 inches (maybe 2), and produce utterly delightful flowers. I put deliciosa into a slightly different category, which I lovingly refer to as "smaller"; I group them with plants such as equestris and cornu-cervi, size-wise.

I should note that none of these are going to do particularly well in a lower humidity setting.

[estación seca]

A lot of the supermarket mini hybrids actually are smalls to minis, tracing their ancestry to P. equestris and other small species.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by estación seca

A lot of the supermarket mini hybrids actually are smalls to minis, tracing their ancestry to P. equestris and other small species.

Exactly. Most of the plants sold as mini-Phals are still gigantic when set beside a true miniature. I could hide three true miniatures behind the leaf of one supermarket Mini. I have a couple plants of an interesting mini-hybrid which I'm looking forward to bringing to bloom. Phal equestris, as you mention, is a smaller Phal, and some are quite comparatively small. Phal chibae is a true miniature - the leaves on mine are under 1 1/2 inches and it's in spike. The hybrid is called Phal Equichi; I'd compare this hybrid to a cross of a teacup chihuahua and a labrador. The leaves look like slightly narrower and scaled down equestris leaves and are roughly 2 1/2 inches in length - in other words, the plant is still less than half the size of most so-called "mini-Phals".

[katrina]

P lowii is very small...but not as easy to grow as some others.

Also, my P lindenii us quite small but not a micro mini like appendiculata. Leaves prob in the 4" size.

P cochlearis stays small...mine has never had leaves longer than 4" and the nice thing with this one is that it reblooms on older spikes. Now, if I could just figure out a way to get it to bloom every year...it only blooms every other.

Already mentioned, LOC has a fabulous selection of mini primary hybrids as well as more complex hybrids that stay super small. I just picked up a couple more last fall and, as usual, excellent quality.

[jkofferdahl]

Since I'm off today, and sort of bored, I decided to take a few pictures to compare Phal sizes visually. I started with a P schilleriana, which is, in terms of size, a pretty run-of-the-mill Phal. It's not as large as some, but certainly at least standard in size (a leaf span roughly 14"). Next to it is a healthy, pretty typical P equestris, a plant just about the same size as the grocery store Minis I have:


Here is the same equestris, now sitting with a P deliciosa (since that one's been mentioned here):


This is the equestris with the hybrid I mentioned previously, EquiChi:


EquiChi is a cross of equestris and chibae, so here are those two side by side (chibae's longest leaf is approaching two inches):


This is equestris in the center, with parishii on the left and chibae on the right:


Finally, parishii with chibae; parishii is a bit larger than my braceanas, thailandicas, or the frighteningly deciduous lowii, but it's spiking so I used it here: