A Whole Sub-Tribe of Exquisite Miniatures

[ronaldhanko]

A new story entry has been added:

A Whole Sub-Tribe of Exquisite Miniatures

here is a little-known group of orchids, approximately one-hundred species in fifteen or sixteen different genera, that are all miniatures and all worth growing. The best known genus in the group is Ornithocephalus, and the whole group is known as the Ornithocephalinae. Ornithocephalus mean "bird's head," and the group is well-named, since the similarity of the column to a bird's head is striking, while the whole flower often resembles a bird in flight.

These miniature species are well-worth growing and produce large numbers of flowers. Many are very attractive plants as well, producing fans of leaves, something on the order of a Tolumnia. These plants come from Mexico and range down into Central America and northern South America, especially Colombia and Ecuador, though they are found as far south as Brazil, Peru and Paraguay. They are most closely related to Maxillaria and with only one or two exceptions are under six inches with many of them much smaller.

[CoolPhrog]

What a WONDERFUL article! Thank you very much for taking the time to write this!

[RoyalOrchids]

Great article - well written. Beautiful photos, great info, and interesting topic. You convinced me. Where do I get one (or 10)?

[cb977]

Ooooo...yummy!

I think this article might help us when we get our next OB Project started...

in the Spring!

[lostonthebeach]

Very interesting and nice photos. Thanks !!

[karren]

Thankyou! Exciting group of new to me orchids from the Americas. Small with lotsa flower, just my cup of tea.

Do they grow at lower light levels like the Maxillaria?

I'm going to try some when I find them.

[ronaldhanko]

Karren,
They generally are fairly low light plants. They grow very nicely under fluorescent lights.

[s.kallima]

Ron,
Great article, thanks, 2 of these species have been on top of my wish list for months Hintonella mexicana and Centroglossa macroceras, but I cannot find them on internet stores.
Do you know where to find these beauties ???

[ronaldhanko]

Originally Posted by s.kallima

Ron,
Great article, thanks, 2 of these species have been on top of my wish list for months Hintonella mexicana and Centroglossa macroceras, but I cannot find them on internet stores.
Do you know where to find these beauties ???

My Hintonella was collected many years ago in Mexico by a friend who often went there collecting (we lived in Houston at the time). I believe the Centroglossa also came from him. I don't believe I've ever seen either one listed in a catalogue.

[AboutOrchids]

Thanks for the great info. I've seen some of these in show displays over the years, but I didn't know that they're easy growers. Just another excuse to go orchid shopping...