Very smallest miniatures available in the hobby?

[jkofferdahl]

Thinking a bit more (yes, I know that thought from me is a somewhat absurd concept) I'm also going to recommend Zygostates lunata. Z. lunata blooms flowers very similar to alleniana but the sprays can be a bit showier. The plant itself is considerably larger that is alleniana, but growths are still only about an inch.

I'm going to add a couple of possibilities, then. First, Sophronitis (Cattleya) cernua, which blooms a beautiful red flower (well, a bunch of them) as is almost TOO easy to grow. The pseudobulbs reach about 1" in height with leaves about 1" as well. The flowers are about the diameter of a nickel. The smallest Phalaenopsis is appendiculata, but appendiculata can be quirky for some growers. In fact, it's the only Phal species I've not grown! Miniature Phal species to consider would include braceana,cochlearis, deliciosa, fimbriata, hainanensis (my favorite); lowii, parishii, and thailandica, all of which are relatively easy to grow and at their largest may have a leaf span of under 4".

[grevelyn]

I am trying to start a mini-terrarium myself and I have been looking all over for Lepanthes astrophora "Stalky." None of the vendors seem to be carrying it at this time. Any ideas where I can source this?

And jkofferdahl, I'm taking your suggestion you made ages ago and am getting some of the Zygostates alleniana to go in there!

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by grevelyn

I am trying to start a mini-terrarium myself and I have been looking all over for Lepanthes astrophora "Stalky." None of the vendors seem to be carrying it at this time. Any ideas where I can source this?

And jkofferdahl, I'm taking your suggestion you made ages ago and am getting some of the Zygostates alleniana to go in there!

For my collection, Z. alleniana is a must-have. I first was introduced to it in the early 1980s and have always kept at least one in my collection.

Regarding your Lepanthes I would encourage you to call Andy's Orchids. He often has plants which aren't listed on his site, in part because he only has a few available. I was looking for a Zygostates several years ago and could find it nowhere. I called Andy (it wasn't on his web site), and within 15 minutes, while on the phone with me, he had two boxed up and ready to ship.

[Fishkeeper]

Oh, right, I forgot there are mini species Phals that actually stay that small.

@grevelyn, lemme know if you contact Andy, I'm looking for one of those as well. They're so cute!

[Fishkeeper]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I've made a post specific to my questions about my upcoming project, but I'm hoping this thread keeps going as a discussion on small orchids in general.

Are there any tiny terrestrials, or are they all epiphytes?

My thread here:
Mini Hygrolon terrarium for micro orchids

I also ended up taking my D. lichenastrum off the wall it was on, it was staying a bit too dry and hadn't grown any new roots. It's gone into the betta tank to keep it happy for now, then it'll probably go into the 8" cube.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Fishkeeper

Oh, right, I forgot there are mini species Phals that actually stay that small.

@grevelyn, lemme know if you contact Andy, I'm looking for one of those as well. They're so cute!

I've actually considered getting rid of most full-size Phals and filling the space created with nothing but miniatures.

[bjmac]

Microsaccus griffithii is very small and a slow grower. I have had it in my terrarium for two years and it is not much larger. Have not had it flower yet, but it has tiny white flowers in pairs.

[orchidiva777]

You could definitely try with a schoenorchis, by that I'm thinking like a schoenorchis fragrans. But I think that a pleurothallis grobyi as Leafmite said "Some of the really small orchids are in the Pleurothallidinae group. Many of these are cold, cool or cool-intermediate growers but some are intermediate or even warm growers. Before buying any, always confirm that they will suit your conditions." would be worth the search in any case as would an agraecum (dollii maybe, because though they can get to medium size they're generally quite slow-growing).

[VERN-O]

Originally Posted by DeaC

Yes,the Parsons/Gerritsen book is an xcellent resource and http://violetbarn may also have tiny items to check out.

I agree the violet Barn has some cool non orchid terrarium stuff.

Also Katrina and Fishkeeper I am really digging
Bulbo moniliforme.....this is now on my secret list to get..lol

[Arven]

Wow! How is your project going? After reading this now I am sure, that one day whan I learn how to grow orchids properly I will have something like this.