Looking for rare, wierd, unusual orchids
 

I'd like to get some kind of rare, unusual, or wierd orchid. I do well with paphs, phals, cattleyas, but not with masdevallias. My temps are intermediate to warm (closer to warm) and I have low humidity that ranges from 40% to 60%. I want something that can grow well in warm temps and low humidity. I also grow under T5 lights and can't have too tall of orchids. I was thinking something like a bulbophylum or cirrhopetalem. Something that either smells funny, looks wierd, has teeny tiny flowers or something like that. Suggestions?

I'll throw Oeceoclades gracillima (syn. roseovariegata) out as a possibility. A few inches tall (flower spike to 60 cm or so), wonderful color and pattern on the leaves, tough ... likes the east windowsill at my office, where the humidity never goes over 40%. Tough leaves aren't much bothered by insects, either. One of my favorites. Not common, but can be found.

Steve

Bulbos are fun, different, but most like to be kept moist. I have several that smell bad, but on the whole they have a mild fragrance. Slipper orchids are neat because the bloom last so long sometimes two months, but they like humidity, between 50 and 70 percent.

That Oeceoclades gracillima looks interesting. I have quite a few slipper orchids and they grow the best of any orchids for me. My favorite in my collection is Paphiopedilum sanderianum. I keep a humidifier constantly running when the P. sanderianum is in bloom.

Aeranthes are not very common and have a weird flower.

I'm not sure what would really suit your conditions, so some of this might not work, but off the top of my head:

Catasetum: a lot of these actually have quite small pseudobulbs, though I think the flower spikes can be disproportionate.

Huntleya: Amazing flowers, but I don't know what their culture is like.

Dendrobium cyanocentrum: on my wish list. Passed by a mother flask recently, but I'll be getting in touch with the seller in the spring!

Maxillarias: I saw a mealegris (not sure if that's spelt right) the other day smelt of old socks. I'm sure you could find a few to fit! Some are minatures.

There's also some very wierd flowers in the pictures I took at BOC recently: see my signature link.

Where did you get this oceo? I've been looking for more, but haven't been able to find any.

Sorry, I should have added that Oeceoclades gracillima is still mostly found under the name Oeceoclades roseo-variegata. Troy Meyers (Meyers Conservancy) had some flasks, don't know if he still does or not, and sometimes you will see one (as with Eulophia petersii) at cactus & succulent shows. If I think of another source I'll post back here.

Steve

If you aren't opposed to growing under a small humidity dome (I used an inverted clear 24oz deli container), you could go with Lepanthes calodictyon. Put it on a small mount, set the mount in a small pot, that has a layer of fine leca/hydroton in the bottom, set the pot in a small saucer, add a bit of distilled/ro water and cover with your dome. About the only thing that bothers these guys are mealy bugs. It has interesting leaves and teeny tiny jewel-like red flowers. It grows int/warm.
Just my suggestion,
Adam

I got 2 new orchids that fit into the "unusual" category, they're at least unusual to most people.

Catasetum Frilly Doris 'SVO'
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psb1758ad4.jpg

Masdevallia Angel Tears
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psbddf5999.jpg