Newbie looking for recommendations for minis

11 years ago

Two or three years ago, after killing a few phals, I decided to try something else and bought a couple of Cattleya alliance "bag baby" orchids from Lowes. I managed to not kill them and now one is blooming for the first time. My B. "Little Stars" produced four blooms in late January and I've been sniffing them every night. Of course now I'm hooked. The other baby is Slc Jewel Box "Scheherazade." She's been growing and is a nice apple green, but is probably still too young to bloom this year. I've been lurking on the forum and have to thank everyone here for sharing your knowledge. My two orchids would be on the compost pile without you.

I've got plenty of "dirt plants" but am new to orchids. I've got a copy of "Orchids Simplified," and the author recommends phals for beginners but I am clearly not a phal person. My plants are indoors under fluorescent lights most of the year, outdoors for the summer. This is a second-floor apartment and the few small windows are shaded by eaves and overhangs. What other mini or compact plants would you recommend for a beginner short on space?

Featured Answer

jane__ny

11 years ago

I have grown a few Catt minis when I lived in NY. This one sticks out because it was very pretty and easy to grow. It grew in my kitchen window. Multiple flowers and very fragrant.

Lc Mari's Song HCC/AOS - purchased from Exotic Orchids of Maui

Jane

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Comments (8)

Danielle Rose
11 years ago
Oncidium twinkles, which come in pink, white, or yellow are quite tiny, and though their spikes are taller, the whole plant is pretty small. It needs frequent watering, but mine has bloomed repeatedly.

I have a Sedirea japonica that has not flowered for me yet, but I'm expecting good things in the coming year. Smaller Astrocentrums and Masdevallias all are intermediates whose care is somewhat similar to phals, with some preferring a bit more light, and others a bit more water or humidity, but their flowers tend to be compact and close to the plant.
shavedmonkey (Harvey in South Fl.)Z10b
11 years ago
Lets build on what you wrote. you are successfully growing Brassavola little stars. Brassavola is hybridized with a lot with Cats and they are easy to find. Blc. is one Bc. also. Treat them just like little stars and you will have lots of flowers. Good luck.
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James _J
11 years ago
J & L Orchids in Connecticut has a good selection of miniature orchids.

Some of my favorite low light minis are Arangis citrata, Sophroniella violacea. If you have enough light for little stars, you may be able to grow neostylis hybrids or Dendrobium micro chip
westoh Z6
11 years ago
I'll second the Micro Chip or anything with Dend. abberans in it. I bloom a CC under lights in the winter and put it out in a very bright spot on an east patio in the summer. Well over 200 flowers right now on my CC and it's been blooming for a couple of weeks. Probably 4-5" tall including flowers.

The neo's are nice also, but seem a little more challenging than the CC. My neo/mini-vanda types do pretty well during their outside time, but always struggle a bit when indoors over winter.

Good luck,

Bob
cooperdr_gw
11 years ago
Tolumnias usually come in one inch clay pots. Sometimes 2" pots. They can be a little hard to balance though. Some come with wire hangars but then you have to deal with them dripping on the floor.
murraysmom Zone 6a OH
11 years ago
That is gorgeous!! Do you still have it? Such beautiful colors!
Edie
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you to all of you for your suggestions! I was overwhelmed by the amount of small orchids to choose from and had no idea what to look at next, or what would grow well in my conditions. This list is very helpful.