Phalaenopsis parishii Phalaenopsis parishii, is one of the smaller Phalaenopsis species, found in the wild in the eastern Himalayas, Assam India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, for part of the year the plants are subjected to heavy rainfall and usually grow near water. It requires warm to hot growing conditions with high humidity and air movement. Phalaenopsis parishii generally has pendant leaves which are smooth in texture and … [Read more...]
The Small, the Mini- and the Micro-orchids by Lynda Coles
A series of short articles about a few of the many small, mini- and micro-orchids, together with ideas for growing them indoors.
Most of these diminutive plants will need a high humidity level, which can be challenging to achieve, particularly in the home environment, so I will also be showing you some of the solutions that I use to satisfy the requirements of the mini- and micro-orchids; ideas that should allow you to grow them virtually anywhere in the home or glasshouse ……. more of that in later articles.
Link to new companion series.. Enclosures for The Small the Mini- and the Micro-orchids.
October 2021. Sarcochilus olivaceus
Sarcochilus olivaceus Sarcochilus olivaceus, ‘the greenish Sarcochilus’ grows in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, where it is also known as Sarcochilus parviflora ‘the Southern Lawyer Orchid’. It is a miniature orchid often found growing on mossy branches in shady gullies, in or near to humid rainforest, or occasionally, but rarely, found growing as a lithophyte. In cultivation it is best grown on a mount, frequently … [Read more...]
September 2021. Phymatidium tillandsioides.
Phymatidium tillandsioides. Phymatidium tillandsioides is more correctly named Phymatidium falcifolium since that name has precedence (P.falcifolium 1881 and P. tillandsioides 1883), but the name Phymatidium tillandsioides is so descriptive of its appearance that it is more frequently known by it. This is a mini-epiphyte from Brazil, found growing on trees and shrubs in bright shade, near rivers and waterfalls. Leaves are thin, … [Read more...]
August 2021. Dendrobium delacourii
Dendrobium delacourii Dendrobium delacourii is native to Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos and can be found in deciduous forests in bright light but can often grow in full sun. This species requires intermediate to warm temperatures with medium to high humidity and good air movement, it should be given plenty of water for most of the year, however, they do require a dry rest for about a month in winter when it will drop its … [Read more...]
July 2021. Haraella retrocalla.
Haraella retrocalla. First described in 1930, the miniature orchid Haraella retrocalla (also known as Harealla odorata) is found in Taiwan growing in deciduous forest. This plant has small dark yellow flowers which have a light yellow, hairy lip with mahogany marks, flowers have a pleasant lemony fragrance, which is quite strong for the size of the plant. Each flower measures about 2.5cms across the sepals and the same from the tip … [Read more...]
June 2021. Zygostates alleniana
Zygostates alleniana. Zygostates grow in Northern Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and Peru, this particular miniature is one of about 20 species in the genus. Zygostates alleniana is a sympodial epiphytic plant and, as can be seen in the images, the leaves are arranged in a fan with each fan having four or more leaves. The leaves are stiff and smooth and on this plant, they are about 20mm long. Zygostates alleniana flowers in the … [Read more...]
May 2021. Chytroglossa marileoinae.
Chytroglossa marileoniae. The Chytroglossa genus contains only three species and they are all endemic to Southern Brazil. All three species grow in mountainous regions at elevations of 500-700metres where rain and mist is frequent all year. Chytroglossa marileoniae is a mini-orchid with mid to olive-green leaves which are thin and pointed, growing 3-4 cms long they form fan-like growths. Flowers are produced on thin, wiry spikes … [Read more...]
April 2021. Meiracyllium wendlandii.
Meiracyllium wendlandii Named after Wendland, a German orchid collector in the 1800s, this miniature plant is one of only two species in the genus Meiracyllium the other being M. trinuasutum. The two are often confused with one another, but I have both and when placed alongside each other they are noticeably different. Since it is found in Mexico and Guatemala at altitudes of 600 to 1400 metres on mossy trees and rocks, I grow … [Read more...]
March 2021 Lepanthes lucifer.
The Small, the Mini- and the Micro-orchids. I have grown orchids for many years either in dedicated glasshouses, growing cases, or on windowsills, the large, the medium, and the small, from across many genera and all temperature ranges. Currently, I have a modest mixed collection in a greenhouse environment, although by now my main interest is growing a variety of orchid species from seed, and more recently from tissue … [Read more...]