The orchid in the photo is one of my beloved miniatures. Stenoglottis Woodii is native to South Africa, and it is deciduous. When I bought it, there were just a few dead leaves on top of the soil. I followed the grower’s instructions, and watered it very lightly while it was dormant. I was thrilled when green shoots began to push up through the soil in March, and even more thrilled when I saw that the plant was in spike and would soon flower.
The flowers are very delicate – in perfect proportion with the rest of the plant, which is about 3 1/2 inches tall.
And here’s tiniest orchid in my collection – no more than 1 1/4 inches tall. I have placed a quarter next to it, so you can get an idea of just how small it is. Pleurothallis alata is native to Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. When I bought it, it had what looked like spent flower stems, but the grower told me not to cut them. I followed her advice, and a couple of weeks ago, I was astonished to see that it was in flower, but that the blooms were so tiny, I hadn’t even noticed!
Miniature orchids are right up my alley, because they live happily on windowsills, and bloom at different times throughout the year so I almost always have something in flower.
I apologize for the less than stellar quality of the photos. I had a heck of a time shooting these miniscule plants.
Digging RI 
I just got back from traveling in Colombia, and even though it wasn’t “orchid season” the variety of orchids in bloom was pretty astonishing.
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Yes, so many of the orchids I grow are from South America. And you are right when you say that orchid diversity is “astonishing.” They are second only to the aster family for number of species.
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No need to apologize for the photography. The diminutive size of your subjects forgives any lack. They’re a pleasure to view in bloom.
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Thanks.
I can’t begin to explain how tiny that pleurothallis is and how frustrating it was to photograph. I also feel remiss at not having noticed when it first came into bloom. Next time, I’ll pay better attention.
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Love them, DN. I have to say that your orchid posts have sent me on a trail of addiction. I now have nine! One was a rescue from an unfortunate display and is doing well, and four of the newest come from a bare root source you recommended. All are doing well, following your regimen, but help! I’m running out of room on the buffet! 😉
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Oops. Sorry. Maybe you’d better start buying minis. Smaller plant = more of them!
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That is soooo tiny, dn. I’m not having any luck with my transplants. 😦 I should have sent them to you.
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So sorry to hear that, CJ. Are they actually dying, or just languishing?
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One went to orchid heaven and the other is just pitiful.
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Orchid heaven? Where every plant is in flower or in spike every day and no one gets too much or too little water? I have a few plants there myself. You know sometimes, the plant is not “well grown” as orchid growers say, and you just have to toss it. It’s not always your fault.
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They are rather delightful. I love tiny things, but hadn’t thought of seeking out tiny plants. There is a little volunteer restio on my garden, not quite as high as my thumb. Might put one in a bonsai pot.
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Diana, what is a “restio?”
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Our indigenous reeds, part of fynbos along with proteas, ericas and bulbs.
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Such a different world from New England, and so beautiful.
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