Vanda merrillii Dwarf Form

[Roy]

This plant is quoted as being V. merrillii "Dwarf Form". The flower descrition is exact to that of a normal merrillii except that the flower size is approx' 25 mm ( 1 inch) maximum. The plant is as can be seen in the pics, very small, 5 inches or 13 cms tall and has keiki's. These are genuine flowering size plants.
Has anyone seen or know of this plant??

[mollycart1]

What is the thing in the middle of the first picture, Roy? Spike?

[Roy]

Naoki, that was a spike. They had flowered a while ago, not sure when thet flower, I'll have to ask.

[smweaver]

I've never heard of this one, Roy. But if it truly is a dwarf growing V. merrillii, I'd certainly like to know where I could find one. I have two of the standard-sized merrilliis, and the tallest is easily close to four feet tall and two feet wide. I've got it growing in one of my bathrooms, and it occupies its own window. So finding a version of the species that required less real estate would be great. That being said, I think that the plants you have look something like Trichoglottis brachiata, or perhaps an aerides species or even a merrilli that's been hybridized with another species that grows smallish (like V. pumilla, for example). I could, of course, be very wrong--and, in fact, I hope that I am, as it really would be pretty cool if you stumbled upon (purposefully or otherwise) a small-growing V. merrillii. Did you get to see the blooms firsthand, or did the seller provide a photo?

Steve

[Roy]

Steve, I have no photo of the flower, just the description by the seller. This plant has been advertised by a nursery here for a number of years but no pic either. I know this nursery owner & will contact him tonight. One orchid trader had a plant on eBay a week or 2 ago as plant pic, no flower. He brings in a lot of plants from OS but where he got his plant I don't know. I have no reason to doubt the person I bought these plants from and I believe its common in collections in Northern Aust' though I've never seen it reported in a show as a winner. As soon as I can get a pic of the flower I'll post it, maybe I'll have to flower it first.
Yes, it does look like a Trudelia plant but as per the description given, nothing of Trudelia appears in the flower which would be a miracle.

[Roy]

UPDATE.
The new info is that this plant was imported from the Philippines as V.merrillii in a batch of species orchids, many years ago. It was so different to the normal merrillii ( like an Ascocentrum plant in size) it was kept and flowered. The flowers are few on the spike BUT are exact to the normal merrillii. Its never been heard of or seen again in any shipment and as has been mentioned, no-one knows of it.

[smweaver]

Wow, that's incredible if it's true (I'm not doubting you, Roy, but I would certainly like to see some flowers once the plant blooms). At least you've been able to confirm that it came from the same locale as the standard merrilli. I'll also be interested to see how this one adapts to your growing conditions. Your vandas do get to experience fairly cool temperatures during your winters, yes?

Steve

[Roy]

Steve, my Vandas do get cooler than recommended but they haven't been damaged in any way and the roots are getting away like crazy. I should start to see some spike soon, they are late for me because I still haven't reduced the shade enough to get better winter light.