Miniature orchids and where to buy them!

[orchids-n-vivariums]

Hi there,

I'm new to the forum and glad to be here. I'll make good use of it. I just built two vivariums that have DIY backgrounds I made with a complicated process. I left several, several small areas to mount mini orchids. I will maybe be able to hold 50 minis on my large tank, and 10 on the smaller tank. Each area is about 1-2" wide by 1-2" tall. I am now on the hunt of miniature orchids to fill all those spaces. My space will have a pretty constant temp of 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a slight drop at night to 70 and around 60-80% humidity year round. I have fantastic bright grow lights for each vivarium, so that's not really an issue. I just got a Platystele Umbellata, which is the PERFECT size (it's SOOO tiny and beautiful), and is such a wonderful specimen. I ordered it from J&L Orchids. Some of the other mini's on their site tend to be larger than I want. It seems some minis are considered 12" and under, some 10" and under. I'm thinking I want mine to be 3" and under, so compact minis. My question is: given my warm growing conditions, good humidity, but need for smaller sized miniatures... can I please get suggestions for which orchids I should buy next and perhaps places to buy them from? I'm looking for orchids that are about thumbnail size (or slightly larger) to start, but perhaps will clump to become great big specimens over time. The DIY background is made out of peat moss, so it's a background they should love to grow on as it's similar to tree fern panels I've seen. I'm interested in having a lot of variety in the orchids, too, so the more species the better. I envision both of my walls full to the brim with different species, each growing well and clumping and cascading down to my land area filled with mini neoregelias (which i've been lucky to find some stunning ones, of all different shades, even a plumb purple one). I also have some shady spots in each tank plus a water feature in each, so minis that might love shade are welcome too. Any help would be much appreciated. I seem to find lots of info on miniatures, but not really where to buy them from! I really enjoy variety of species. The river features aren't done yet, they will be pieces of grapewood attached to the tubing, so you won't see the tubing. On top of the wood will be mounted orchids, so if you have any suggestions for orchids that love constant moisture on their roots and would do well thei, let me know that too- right now I'm growing moss and sphagnum moss and it's growing well.