Miniatures collection advise needed

[skyheaven]

hi
I am looking for some advise on the topic of miniature and micro miniature orchids. I live in Florida an are wanting to start a small miniature collection. I have been doing research on minis and finding out that there are not very many warm growers. I could only find a handful or so. So my ?'s are. I really like some of the cool growing ones is there any way for me to grow cool growing minis in Florida? Any ideas on the type how to keep the temp down. Ice packet, ect I have no idea. Also could any one recommend any minis that are good growers for south florida. Thanks for reading!!! I would really appreciate any comments you might have for me. Thanks again sky

[lepanthes89]

I often wonder what I would grow if I lived in south Florida.!
I would look for mini-vandaceous species ,lowland Bulbophyllums,Carribean Tolumneas etc.
There are quite a few warm Oncidium relatives also(Ornithocephallus etc.),and of course Jewel orchids.

[skyheaven]

I do have a few of Bulbophyllums put they are not miniatures quit big I have an Elizabeth Ann bulb. And some other types not much luck with getting them to bloom this year tho. Also I have had lots of vandas and just kill them all I have one left. Vandas are one of the most loved orchid for Floridians and I have no luck with them. It sucks cuz they are so pretty I will probably never buy another. I do really well with all my onc. I have quite a lot and was wanting something different. I will look into the carribean tolumneas type. I am not familiar idont believe. And jewel orchids just don't fancy me much. Thanks for the advise I will look in two some of the type you suggested.

[skyheaven]

Ooooooo that's funny I was just looking up one of your orchids you suggested the Carribean Tolumneas the name didn't ring a bell but tree days ago I just bought three little 2" pots. They are red and creamy white with a dark burgundy spotting. Thats to funny. They are really cute. I had one before and lost it to scale. My first scale out brake. That poor orchid had no chance. You will probably get a laugh out of this. So I read up on scale and the info I got was to scrub with rubbing alcohol will didn't have any so I used black label jack daniels. What a bad move on my part. Live and learn. A newbe mistake.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

There are tons of intermediate to warm growing minis and micro-minis.

You want some good ones to start with, try these:

Bulbophyllum aestivale
Bulbophyllum alagense
Bulbophyllum laxiflorum
Bulbophyllum catenulatum
Bulbophyllum frostii
Bulbophyllum gracillimum
Bulbophyllum mirum
Bulbophyllum odoratissimum
Bulbophyllum ovalifolium
Bulbophyllum plumatum (aka Bulb jacobsonii)
Bulbophyllum psychoon
Bulbophyllum stenobulbon
Bulbophyllum tixieri
Bulbophyllum trichocephalum

Cirrhopetalum andersonii

Dendrobium loddigessii
Dendrobium rigidum
Dendrobium unicum

Epidendrum porpax

Hapalochilus alkmaarensis

Ionopsis utricularoides

Nageliela purpurea

If you really want to jump in there, you can try Oberonia or Ornithocephalus, or Psygmorchis pusilla (all Oncidium relatives). I think they're not great beginner's mini/micro-mini choices, but it's up to you.

[gnathaniel]

How mini are you looking for? Some of the small Encyclias like tampensis and bractescens should be easy growers in FL. There are also a lot of little Dendrobium species that tolerate or prefer warm temps. Have fun with your search!

--Nat

[skyheaven]

Wow what a great list thanks!!! Thanks!!! This should keep be busy for a while. I am quite a collector with a little of every thing except for the we babys. The smallest baby are some seedlings from oak hill lots of phals but they will get quit big. I am looking for about 3" plants mostly. But I do really like some of the mini specimens I have scene on the net. Thanks again for all the advice it sure is going to come in hand. I will do some more searching and get back to you

[Call_Me_Bob]

i think haerella odorata might do okay. but ive never grown it, so i cant be sure

[skyheaven]

I really liked the Nageliela purpurea!!! Very cool looking. The leaves look kinda like a pys. Papillio. I love the spotted thick leaves. Also really liked the Ionopsis utricularoides very delicate looking. So pretty they look like they float. I really like these two I have never seen them before. Dose any one know a good nursery.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Try an orchid show. That's when all the vendors clump in one place.

Andy's has the Nagliela, but the Ionopsis you may have to get from places like Orquideas del Valle or something.

If you get the Nagliela purpurea, don't cut the seemingly dead inflorescences. They're not dead, they repeat bloom from the same spike for a very long time just like Psychopsis do.

I personally love the Ionopsis utricularoides, they put on a show.