Miniature Masdevallias?

[psyc1210]

I have been looking into getting a Masdevallia, but wanted one that stays really small. I found Masd. nidifica, and that one is always in 2.5 inch pots wherever I find it online, is that one considered a miniature? Also, does anyone know of any others that will stay miniature sized?

[kmarch]

Generally all but a few Masdevallias are considered miniature. I have the species Masd. triangularis that stays small and has really smart yellow triangular flowers. I'll make a list of a bunch of the smallest.

[psyc1210]

Thanks a bunch KMarch. Last night I did more searching, all that i still found though for sure was Masd. caudata, Masd. ariasii, and Masd. nidifica.

[Vivienne]

Check out Andy's Orchids. They have a lot of detail in their plant descriptions.

[Orchidflowerchild]

Okay, i think we need an operational definition of "miniature," here. What is the maximum height you are looking for in plants. As mentioned before, the vast majority of Masdevallias are small plants, usually under 8" tall. There are a few big ones, but they are the minority in the genus.

-Cj

[psyc1210]

I want tiny....like I read that the leaves of Masd. Nidifica get to be only 2-3 inches tall. Is that true? What others stay that small?

[kmarch]

psyc1210,

I'm not familiar with the species Masd nidifica but many Masd do have small leaves. My triangularis leaves are only about an inch and a half to 2 inches long.

On a related note: with orchid names the species name (the second of the 2 manes) is not capitalized, so it's Masd nidifica and not Masd Nidifica. With hybrids, the second uncapitalized scientific name is replaced with a hybrid name which is capitalized, for example: Masd Swallow.

[Orchidflowerchild]

Originally Posted by psyc1210

I want tiny....like I read that the leaves of Masd. Nidifica get to be only 2-3 inches tall. Is that true? What others stay that small?

Off the top of my head:
M. livingstonea
M. deformis
M. ophioglossa (leaves are only about 1.5", but it has a kindof climbing habit)
M. racemosa (although it has a rambling growth habit)
M. decumana
M. hirtzii
M. strobelii

Those are all 3" or under.

If I think of more, I'll post again.

-Cj