On the hunt....

[kazjak]

Seems like forever since I've posted anything.. I don't know how all of you keep up with the posts like you do. Troopers! I have a couple of Orchid shows coming up in the next few weeks. The Greater Akron (Ohio) Orchid Society and the Westshore Orchid Show (Strongsville, OH). I've decided to shop for some true Miniature plants. I was thinking a masdevallia or Phal but maybe you guys could provide me some of your favorites with a picture to help sway me. I don't currently have any massies but I've been wanting one.

I've started a "basic" and I do mean BASIC web page with all my photos hope everyone likes it.

My Gardenting Page

[Sharyn]

kazjak: I'm sure everyone on the forum already knows how fond I am of the miniature phals. The Mini Mark 'Holm' is one of my favorites. Pics attached.

Kevin has also made a short list of wonderful miniature phals. I've attached the link for our previous discussion on mini phals. Sorry, no masdevallia - others will have to help you on that one. Good luck on the search.

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/gen...ure-phals.html

[Vivienne]

While I haven't had mine long enough to bloom... I've fallen for Neofinetia and Ascofinetia. I really like how the plant looks... and from what I've seen of the blooms... I can't wait!!!

[rmt135]

You got a nice collection there.

[fred]

very nice Sharyn
your pics are awesome

[articuno75]

I have to agree with Vivienne and say Neos. You can't get any smaller than that. I have two of them and just want more.

[kmarch]

I used to have tons of miniatures in my collection in the states. I was really restricted on space so I had a lot fo them. Here is a list fo some of my favorites that grew and bloomed best for me:

Phal (aka Kingidium) deliciosa
Haraella odorata
Tetramicra canaliculata
Cadetia (they're all tiny)
Cattleya luetola (likes to be dry, dry, dry)
Cattleya aclandae (wet, bright and cool)
Clowesia Rebecca Northen
Coelogyne fimbriata (small but can form large clumps so would need occasional pruning)
Coelogyne miniata
Den (Dockrilla) linguiforme
Epidendrum longipetalum (available form Andy's Orchids)
Epi marmoratum
Laelia rebascens
Mormolyca ringens
Mormodes sinuata
Tricoceros (various species)

Other minis that I've not grown but which have been successfully grown by friends
Aerangis citrata
Clowsea rosea
Den bellatulum
Den biggibum
Den cuthbertsonii
Den (Dockrilla) rigida

And of ocurse if you're willing to go the Pleurothallid Alliance route, you;ve got Masdevallias, Draculas Dracuvallias, Lephanthes, Scaphoglottis, Dryadella, etc., etc., etc....probably another 1500 species to choose from.

[kmarch]

Oh and how could I forget the Neofinetias...we'vehad entire threads here on this miniature.

[patlee]

One more,Kazjak. If you like the Mini Mark , there is another orchid that is very similar, but instead of having the orange coloration, it has pink. It is a Phal named Fantasy Musick, but Carter & Holmes has it mistakenly called Fancy Musick.

Enjoy the orchid shows and have a great hunt

[kazjak]

Anybody know what kind of masdevallia this is? It's on the front page of the book by Steven A. Frowine called "Miniature Orchids". That's what I'm looking for. Something that would fit in a tea cup but has nice flowers.... I guess I could just get the book.... But that would force me to read.. I'm going to look for the Mini Mark but I'd really like something other than just Phals.

[Sharyn]

And my friends here on the forum giggled when I put my Neo in a teacup! Love your teacup miniature.

[kmarch]

Speaking of teacups, a new trend in Paph breeding is to breed what are called "teacup Paphs." They are miniature hybrids bred with recently discovered mini species like Paph barbigerium and Paph helenae.

Paph Emerald Magic x Paph helenae
Paph Barbie Doll (barbigerum x fairrieanum)

[Vivienne]

Oh Kevin - why did you have to bring that up. Now you know (since you got me hooked on the Paphs to begin with) that I'm just going to have to find those little guys! Look at the size of the bloom compared to the plant.

Do they take long to raise to blooming size?

[Vivienne]

By the way - thank you Kevin (very seriously) for getting me hooked on the Paphs! My collection of them is rapidly growing!!

[kmarch]

Vivienne, I'm glad you are enjoying your Paphs. i know they might not be everyone's cup of tea (pun intended) but it's a pleasure to share these wonderful orchids and get others hooked on them.

Regarding where to find them....it's a somewhat recent trend so not many have been made yet and there aren't very many on the market yet. I know that In Charm Orchids in Taiwan has been doing a lot of this kind of breeding and they were at the WOC selling. I'm afraid I dont' know myuch more than that. Keep yoru eyes and ears open and we'll see if we can see any anywhere.

Because they are relatively small plants they don't take as long to raise to blooming size as larger Paphs. Maybe about 3 years or so out fo flask.