Miniatures for OrchidBox

[gdupont]

Hi,

I have an OrchidBox, and I've been growing Tristella hoeijeri, Pleurothallis ornata, and Platystele ovatilabia in there.

All three have been doing well, with the Platystele being super happy with lots of roots flushing out and tons of new growths. The Tristella seems to be doing the least well, but doesn't show any issues. None have flowered yet though!

I'm wondering what might grow super well in here. Obviously, not much of any airflow (mold/fungus is occasionally a problem), but does have a built-in LED light with adjustable brightness that can get to be very intense, and obviously the setup maintains humidity super well. And the box is really quite tiny.

So im looking for something small to tiny that loves humidity and little-to-no airflow.

Funny enough, I remember folks saying Dendrophylax lindenii loves stagnant air, which might be fun to try, no idea where to get one these days though.

Open to any suggestions! Just want something that will really take off in there

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Dendrophylax lindenii (Ghost Orchid) can be a challenge to grow because of where it grows and its growth habits.

Yes, it does grow in somewhat stagnant and humid conditions.

Here's where people go wrong...

They put a wad of moss around the roots.

In the wild, they don't grow like that - it stays too wet for too long. If you observe them in nature, they grow near the base of tree trunks that are close to where the waterline of the swamp water is, mostly WITHOUT moss, and if there is moss, it is extremely sparse (there are tons of old photos from a former Orchidboard member of the Ghost Orchid in the section that says "Orchids in the Wild"). The bark on the tree where these orchids grow is not wet, it is damp.

My recommendation for a mount is a wooden plaque with no moss and stick that in a humid environment.

They also experience seasonal periods of relative dryness. I recommend checking out when the South Florida seasonal rains and when the dry season are.

My recommenation for temperatures they should be grown under are intermediate to warm (68 F - 95 F).

Lighting intensity is medium bright indirect.

They can produce a small rudimentary leaf at times if the light isn't bright enough, and that's normal.

If this is something you can accommodate with the Orchidbox, then, I guess you can give it a try.

[mr.wolfe]

I saw someone claiming to sell D. lindenii on Etsy with good reviews, but it looked too good to be true. Not sure.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I know of that seller. They're legit.

If you do get one, you got to contend with learning how to grow it right.

They take some dedication to attention and know how.

[mr.wolfe]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I know of that seller. They're legit.

If you do get one, you got to contend with learning how to grow it right.

They take some dedication to attention and know how.

You're kidding! Obviously everyone wants one theoretically, but I'll refrain from pulling the trigger until I get another terrarium or something.

Sounds like you have tips?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I told you what I know already.

They're like growing Chiloschista. If you've grown Chiloschista, that skill is transferable.

Try growing it on a wood mount that can absorb water easily WITHOUT moss. Let it dry out between watering during wet season. Grow a bit drier during dry season.

Keep relative humidity around 80%.

Intermediate to warm temperatures: 68 F - 95 F

Medium indirect bright light.

Avoid heavy breezes - dries them out too much.

---------- Post added at 05:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------

Oh, and I recommend getting a couple instead of just 1 - you might get one that falls apart on you. They don't always come in great condition.

The ones that are likely to survive are the ones with multiple roots radiating out from the meristematic tissue in the center that stay intact.

[mr.wolfe]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I told you what I know already.

They're like growing Chiloschista. If you've grown Chiloschista, that skill is transferable.

Try growing it on a wood mount that can absorb water easily WITHOUT moss. Let it dry out between watering during wet season. Grow a bit drier during dry season.

Keep relative humidity around 80%.

Intermediate to warm temperatures: 68 F - 95 F

Medium indirect bright light.

Avoid heavy breezes - dries them out too much.

---------- Post added at 05:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------

Oh, and I recommend getting a couple instead of just 1 - you might get one that falls apart on you. They don't always come in great condition.

The ones that are likely to survive are the ones with multiple roots radiating out from the meristematic tissue in the center that stay intact.

Thank you! What a fun thing. I'll be sure to increase my chances by picking up more than one, too.

[Leafmite]

An easy and small orchid that does well in stagnant conditions is Haraella rectrocalla. It is really easy to grow and is a frequent and sequential bloomer (meaning that it can put out a few spikes that will keep blooming, one flower at a time). Some of them have a nice lemon fragrance but that is hit or miss.
I have grown this for years in a small jar with a lid but currently have it in the humid bathroom...not in a jar...and it is doing fine, too.