Looking for the right Mini Orchid

[PlantedTanks]

I have been keeping aquatic plants for 12 years now. I’ve been trying to learn more about plants I can incorporate with driftwood that is peaking out of the water. Miniature orchids have really intrigued me! Right now I’m trying to do research on these species:

Porroglossum dalstroemii
Pleurothallis grobyi type yellow (Ecuador)
Dendrobium leucocyanum

If anyone can give me an in depth description on care as far as the PAR they require, nutrients they require (potassium, iron, magnesium, etc), if they require a hibernation or drought period, general humidity and misting requirements (as well as proper water parameters in PH KH GH), if there is a medium that would be best (species of moss, type of wood), and anything else I could be missing.

I’m also looking for other species that would be good options. What really attracts me are brightly colored flowers, dense foliage, and small leaves 1-2”. Preferably something I can have blooming year round might be asking for too much but it can’t hurt to ask haha! Thank you for taking the time to read and respond!

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[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by PlantedTanks

I have been keeping aquatic plants for 12 years now. I’ve been trying to learn more about plants I can incorporate with driftwood that is peaking out of the water. Miniature orchids have really intrigued me! Right now I’m trying to do research on these species:

Porroglossum dalstroemii
Pleurothallis grobyi type yellow (Ecuador)
Dendrobium leucocyanum

If anyone can give me an in depth description on care as far as the PAR they require, nutrients they require (potassium, iron, magnesium, etc), if they require a hibernation or drought period, general humidity and misting requirements (as well as proper water parameters in PH KH GH), if there is a medium that would be best (species of moss, type of wood), and anything else I could be missing.

I’m also looking for other species that would be good options. What really attracts me are brightly colored flowers, dense foliage, and small leaves 1-2”. Preferably something I can have blooming year round might be asking for too much but it can’t hurt to ask haha! Thank you for taking the time to read and respond!

There are a few orchids that bloom continuously, but I don't which are also minis. If you want something small that is always nice looking check out the Jewel Orchids. They range from small to very small.
jewel orchids - Google Search
-Keith

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[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Start with reading back through the Terrariums forum here and note which plants members have found miniature, easy to grow and floriferous. There are a lot of Pleurothallis and relatives that easily fit that description. It is a huge class of the orchid world with many related genera. Realize none of these has huge flowers, but they are noticeable.

Do some browsing at the Andy's Orchids Web site. There are many options for narrowing your search.

Also browse through the Ecuagenera Web site. They list a great many Pleurothallids. I suggest you also have a copy of the Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia (IOSPE) open in your browser for more information.

Edit: Being as fussy with orchids as you were with a planted tank will be counterproductive. People assess light by seeing how the plant looks, and moving it up or down as needed. Fertilizer is only a small aspect of orchid keeping. Giving small amounts of all nutrients is adequate. Just as with planted tanks, calcium and magnesium are rarely mixed with other nutrients in products for sale, so they need to be added separately.

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by PlantedTanks

I’m also looking for other species that would be good options. What really attracts me are brightly colored flowers, dense foliage, and small leaves 1-2”. Preferably something I can have blooming year round might be asking for too much but it can’t hurt to ask haha! Thank you for taking the time to read and respond!

Masdavallias

[Roberta]

From what I know about the species that you mentioned, Den leucocyanum is probably the most difficult - it comes from the New Guinea highlands, needs to be kept cool and humid. And also likely the most expensive one... so not a good "starter plant".

Pleurothalis grobyi type is, on the other hand, very forgiving, and can be a really prolific bloomer, Likely a really good choice. Also tolerates a wide range of temperatures.

The Porroglossum may also be rather forgiving. Also consider one of the Scaphosepalums.... I have a mounted Scaphosepalum verrucosum that I grow outside (coastal southern California) that tolerates winter cold, summer heat, and is perpetually in bloom (sequential bloomer) Others in the genus have a similar sequential blooming habit and are equally forgiving. Lepanthes are also great candidates. Suggestion, start slow, and focus on the less expensive ones first. There is a huge selection of very cute Pleurothallids for a start.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Macodes petola?

Nice leaves. Not so showy, but interesting flowers. Grows pretty moist. It has been seen growing on wood or rocks that are consistently moist in the wild.

Platystele stenostachya?

Leaves are about 1" - 1.5" long. Constantly in bloom with tiny yellow/yellow-orange flowers on successively blooming inflorescence.

Lepanthopsis astrophora?

Leaves are about 1 cm long on a 1" - 2" stem with branching inflorescence and beautiful star shaped deep maroon or purple flowers (color depends on which individual you got). They don't grow wet, but moist.

Dendrobium leucocyanum is a nice orchid to have. They are quite tiny. They're cool - intermediate growers and grow under moderately bright indirect lighting (pseudobulbs and leaves get maroon under the correct lighting conditions. As was mentioned, they're expensive.

Stelis argentata?

These are nice and easy to grow and bloom. Leaves are about 2" long. Cute red "ninja star" shaped flowers (there are actually 2 color variants).

Stelis morganii?

These are a bit of a climbing/rambling species of Stelis. Beautiful white flowers with orange centers on short inflorescence held close to the underside of the leaf. Leaf is about 1" - 1.5" long. Stem is about 1.5" - 2" long.

As far as Scaphosepalum are concerned, maybe Scaphosepalum swertifolium?

Has a bunch of color/pattern variants. Leaves are about 2" long though. Cool mustachioed flowers.