Dwarf terrarium orchids

[Joshaeus]

Hi everyone! I have a 2 gallon jar that I would LOVE to keep a blooming terrarium plant in. It is by a north window but was going to be supplemented at least 8 hours a day with a 1650 lumen, 5000k LED bulb (it grows aquarium plants quite competently). I was hoping to keep the plant in a small pot on top of some gravel so that, when I water it, the water will go into the gravel and raise the humidity as it evaporates; I am also willing to mist the jar. Temps range from the low 60's into the 80's. Any suggestions for orchids I could keep in this jar? Thanks

[Subrosa]

There are numerous miniatures that would be suitable, but whichever you choose don't forget about ventilation in your jar. Lepanthopsis astrophora would be my first choice.

[MrHappyRotter]

What kind of qualities and characteristics do you like? Do you have preferences about leaf shape, size, color, pattern, structure, etc? Do you like thin roots or thick roots? Do you prefer lots of flowers versus one or two per spike? Do you like colorful things, unusual things, or want something fragrant?

Schoenorchis are popular. So are a lot of Pluerothallids and related genera like Lepanthes. You've got Haraella retrocalla that lots of people grow. There are numerous tiny Dendrobiums like D. abberans. Angreacoids like Aerangis luteo-alba. Tiny Oncidium species and relatives like Psygmorchis pusilla might be an option. Then there are Epidendrums like E. porpax, plus numerous other oddballs. I'm not super familiar with Bulbophyllums, but I do know that there are several popular miniature species in that group.

[Paul]

There are a number of the pleurothallids like some of the Lepanthes which would be your better candidates for such conditions, IMO.

[Bulbopedilum]

You could try Bulbophyllum moniliforme, it's among the smallest known Bulbophyllums.

You could also try jewel orchids, which have colorful leaves. Anoectochilus also has nice flowers and leaves as well, but I'm not sure which species can handle into the low 60s.

[wisdomseeker]

A couple other Bulbophyllums that might work for you (they have grown very well for me in a jar type set-up).

B. lasiochilum


B. oblongum


B. repens