Do miniatures require special care?

[Turtle]

I'm curious if miniature orchids require care much different than would be required for it's larger cousins?

If you've had an experience growing mini's I'd love to read your stories!

[kavanaru]

it depends on which species you grow... you will have hot-warm-coll and cold growing minis, as well as species requiring low - medium- high light / humidity... most orchids species are actually miniatures and therefore it is quite difficult to generalized only based on the size.

I grow several minis, and since I grow them in an orchidarium, I tend to focus on intermediate temps growers... however I also have some cool-cold growers (experimenting, and not being bvery succesfull with them!), which cannot be kept inthe vivarium at all...

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Only a relatively small amount of orchid species are very difficult to impossible for the average hobbyist to grow. This is because of their specialised needs.

Some minis NOT for the beginner include:

1. any species from the genus Teliopogon - they require cool temperatures that get no higher than 80 degrees F, require constant high humidity, good air circulation and very low light (they grow in cloud forests high up in the Andes where the clouds obscure the sun for almost an entire year), and may have a period of dormancy (not sure about this one - never grew one just read about them)

2. Any Fernandezia - they're very high elevation plants. Similar problems with culture as with Teliopogon.

3. Many Lepanthes species...unlike Teliopogons, they're growable, but they take a bit of Pleuro knowhow and skill. Not to mention a good jeweler's loupe to look at the plants or flowers on most species.

4. Lepanthopsis - same as Lepanthes.

5. Constantia - I've read they're difficult, but I'm not having a problem with Constantia cipoensis so far...hm...go figure. Grow like a Sophronitis.

6. Bulbophyllum monilliforme - definitely growable, but it's not the easiest Bulbo to grow. Slow growing, must be mounted onto wood without moss or tree fern plaques without moss, low to moderate light, and high humidity.

7. Any Porpax species - again growable, but can be tricky to water because of their period of dormancy. Also becomes deciduous.

8. Ceratocentron fesselii - growable, but usually comes in having roots that may be badly damaged. Grow on very small tree fern plaques (1" x 1").

Most epiphytical minis are fair game. If anyone else can think of minis that aren't for beginners, please do post.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Actually, this is not a mini but I wanted to give a special notice for this guy...

Masdevallia selenites

It supposedly comes from very high elevations and is a cold grower. I couldn't grow it here in Los Angeles, CA, but I guess people who live in areas where the temperature don't get above 75 degrees F can.

[mojomick]

The main distinction I have found is that they require much more frequent watering because of the small size of the pot. I have several minis that are mounted on various barks or tree fern fiber and need to water almost every day in summer. Betty

[Blondie]

I have lots of minis. The mounted ones need spraying and the potted ones like a lot of humidity. I just posted a book review about minis here. You should be able to find the book just about anywhere:

Miniature Orchids: Everything you need to know to choose and cultivate 300 diminutive gems - Orchid Board

[Ross]

Probably 80% of my orchids are minis - most of them mounted. I have warm growers, intermediates and cool growers. I have very high light species and species tolerant of low light and lots of those in-between. I find them no less or no more difficult than most of the larger-growing species. Hybrids are even easier, in most cases.

[Turtle]

Great, thanks for the replies. Blondie, I'll be sure to keep the book in mind next time I'm out at the bookstore.