Looking for suggestions of minis to grow, surprise me!
 

I've been busy browsing the websites of my favorite vendors, thinking about getting in at least one more order before the cold weather arrives.

I have a bit of a 'problem'. I really like the couple mini/small plants I have (Podangis dactyloceras, Leptote species, Gastrochilus obliquus, Haraella odorata, Howeara Lava Burst...) and am looking to add some other cool little plants to my collection. My problem is that scrolling through websites is getting me nowhere, I'd much prefer to have some suggestions from you all!

My criteria are the following:

• mini/small plant (no plants that must be grown mounted). I'd like something that makes either lots of flowers at once, or flowers more than once a year. Bonus if they're fragrant.
• Intermediate temps (my conditions are 18-22°C (65-70°F) in the winter and 24-32°C (75-90°F) in the summer)
• Light up to Catt levels
• Does not require terrarium humidity levels, will be growing on my shelves in the living room.

Any suggestions of minis that fit the bill? I never thought that I'd need help spending my money! :biggrin: :rofl:

Gee, that last condition (the humidity) makes it hard! Not sure where I can find humidity tolerance information for specific species, and all the species I have in my head probably favor high humidity levels...
Some random Latin names:
-Chamaeanthus brachystachys
-Schoenorchis micrantha
-Some malaxis / crepidium?

If you can put them outside, especially for the winter, rose Pogonia, Pogonia ophioglossoides or it it's Japanese cousin P. japonica.

I was a afraid that the humidity criteria would be a problem! On average it's about 50% where my orchids are, and the range is 30-70%. If it's a very mini orchid I have 2 glass balls which I've used before for plants needing more humidity.

Excellent suggestions, though I'd have to grow them in pots on the balcony since I don't have a yard.

What about Phalaenopsis parishii?

Super cute, super compact, lots of flowers and you already have experience with Phal!

Turberlabium (any type). I had the woodii for many years (dog enjoyed shredding it) and now the kotoenese. Neither has ever needed any special treatment. They seem to bloom more than once a year and the flowers are strongly fragrant. They can live in a terrarium but mine never did.

Easy as pie. Grow them as bright as possible in a 50/50 mix of sand and either peat or coir in plastic pots. Sit the pots in a tray with water 5-7cm deep and don't let it dry out.

I don't think B. little Stars qualifies as a mini as I have seen quite big plants. If you compare it to a Cattleya like purpurata it might be small but I would not consider it a mini or even medium sized.

I feel like you already know these candidates Camille but if you are just looking for suggestions I will add:

Sedirea Japonica
Neofinetia Falcata
Oncidium Cheirophorum
Vanda coerulescens
Dendrobium parishii
Dendrobium Normanbyense
Dendrobium Moniliforme
Dendrobium Jenkinsii

For Medium size you could consider:
Maxillaria Picta
Bifrenaria aureo-fulva
Phalaenopsis Mannii
Vanda pumila

Not easy to find, but you have the whole EU at your disposal so maybe... Neocogniauxia monophylla has bright orange flowers that are bigger than the plant. It grows nicely in a pot.

A lot easier to find... (on the popow-orchids website) Angraecum distichum. Cute little white flowers, blooms on and off all year. He also has Den. cinnabarinum and Den. Swiss Mountain Palace (3/4 Den. cuthbertsonii, the other 25% is Den. sulawesiense - making something that looks like Den cuthbertsonii but is MUCH easier to grow) .

I know you said no mounts, but Dockrillia/Dendrobium lichenastrum, linguiforme, prenticei (AKA Doc. lichenastrum var. prenticei) and toressae are extremely easy to grow inside houses, with watering only once a day. You can hang them in your kitchen window and run water over them when washing the dishes. My mother did this for several decades with a Doc. prenticei. It can flower at any time of the year, if you notice it.

Doc. toressae is one of the smallest-leafed of all orchids and has proved unbelievably tough in my care.