January 2025

From Scott McGregor: All orchids grown outdoors, coastal southern California

Isabelia (Neolauchea) pulchella As Mae West said, “too much of a good thing is wonderful” and that’s certainly true of miniature orchids with tiny flowers. This plant was started on an inverted 2” clay pot which is somewhere buried in the mass, now about 4’ long and 2’ in diameter. It gets bright light and frequent watering, and seems to enjoy our climate! Visitors can help with a needed “haircut” and go home with some cuttings.

Laelia anceps 'Royal Flush' x 'Deja Vu' AM/AOS Love L. anceps season and especially showy ones like this line-bred clone!
Maxillaria dillonii Somewhat of a monster plant but a good show with 15 flowers and ten more buds.

From Roberta Fox: Coastal southern California
Outside in the Back Yard:
Angraecum germinyamum Native to the central plateau of Madagascar, elevation 900-1500 m. The spidery flowers emerge from an inch or two below the tips of rambling growths. The long growths and profuse roots have long ago escaped the basket in which it started.

Brassia (Ada) brachypus Flowers are about an inch across on a miniature plant. Not damatic, but very cute. Native to Ecuador and Peru, elevation 1200-2400 m
Dendrobium glomeratum (sulawesiense) From New Guniea and Sulawesi, this is supposedly a warm-grownig low elevation species. However, this plant does fine outside. It is likely that it actually grows over a range of elevations, with higher-elevation populations being more cold tolerant. It typically blooms about twice a year. Hot-pink flowers with orange lip seem to glow in the sunshine.
Dendrobium rindjaniense Native to Mt. Rindjani on Lombok Island in the Sunda islands, elevation around 2000 m. It can bloom twice a year, on these fascinating bumpy bare canes. A given cane can bloom multiple times.
Dendrochilum magnum Flowes open yellow, then darken to orange as they age. I have noticed that my plant, growing outside, typically blooms about two months later than those that other people grow in a greenouse. Native to the Philippines, elevation 1600 to 2000 m., so certainly can tolerate low temperatures though grows well warmer. Flowers have a fragrance that remindes me of freshly cut hay or grass.
Dendrochilum saccolabium Native to the Philippines about 1200 m. This is still a fairly young plant, it's slowly improving. I tried it in the greenhouse, it seems to be growing much better outside.

Dendrobium mariae (Epigeneium clemensiae) Like the rest of the species that used to be in the genus Epigeneium, it is a rambler. The new growths seems to be just as happy with roots in the air as attached the mount. It is native to south-central China (Hainan and Yunnan), and into Laos and Vietnam, elevation 1000-1300 m.
Isabelia (Neolauchea) pulchella Mine has a very long way to go to approach Scott's specimen. Still,I enjoy the profusion of brilliant little 5-7mm flowers on the rambling plant that just gets taller rather than fuller. Native to southern Brazil at moderate elevations. The genus Isabelia contains only 3-4 species, two of which, this one and Isa. (Sophronitella) violacea, used to be in their own monotypic genera. The relationshp must be in the DNA, because they don't look much alike, and neither looks like Isa. virginalis.

Laelia albida Native to Mexico, elevation 1400-2300 m. I have found that it grows best with a bit less light than L. anceps.


Laelia anceps It's that time of year! Above is L. anceps 'Blumen Insel' x 'Irwin's' AM/AOS, below is L. anceps f. alba. There are many more examples of the typical color, and other color forms still in bud. Individual blooms tend to last only 2-3 weeks, but with multiple plants with different bloom times, the L. anceps season will last well into February. These tend to root right after they bloom, or even while they're still blooming, so this is the time for mounting or repotting. For me, they do better either mounted or in wood baskets with little medium, they tend to hate pots. They are among the least-fussy orchids, doing fine in triple-digit F. summer temperatures, down to freezing in the winter, and very drought-tolerant.
Pescatorea (Bollea) ecuadorana Flowers have very heavy substance. Elevation 900-1200 m, from Ecuador (of course). Baker indicates that minimum temperature in habitat is 44 deg. F, but it seems have no problem with cooler winter nights.
Scaphosepalum gibberosum This set of inflorescences has been sequentially producing flowers for well over a year. The inflorescences are up to around 20 inches each (in various directions) so it's a small plant with a large presence. The flowers are among the largest of the genus - tip to tip 2.5-3 inches across, what looks like a lip but actually the synsepal, to 2 inches perpendicular to the lateral sepals. This makes it a bit of a challenge to photograph with everything in focus. Native to Colombia, elevation 1600-2000 m.
Scaphosepalum swertifolium ssp. exiguum Toward the other end of the size spectrum but certainly not the smallest, flowers are about 1 cm (half an inch or so). They bloom sequentially, so don't try to tidy up bare spikes, they may still rebloom.Truly spent ones will just snap off. Native to Ecuador.


Prosthechea (Encyclia) vitellina This plant started blooming in June. It is still producing flowers... there appear to be two more buds yet to open. I thought it was done for the year, apparently not. Native to southern Mexico and northern Central America, elevation 1400-2600 m.
Cattleya (Sophronitis) brevipedunculata Native to Brazil.	Cattleya (Sophronitis) wittigiana Another Brazil native
Coelia bella Native to southern Mexico and northern Central America, elevation 1000-1500 m. After blooming, it loses leaves, and new growth emerges at the same time.
Mediocalcar decoratum Native to New Guinea, elevation 900-2000 m. There are hundreds of little "candy corn" flowers, still many buds to open so the show will last for at least another month. The plant tends to be mat-forming. I grow it draped over a 6 inch basket, with some sphagnum for moisture. Most of the the roots are in the air, but still benefit from the humidity that the sphagnum provides. It is slowly forming a ball.
Stenoglottis longifolia A terrestrial, native to South Africa, up to 1300 m. In late fall/early winter it produces its inflorescences, as the leaves start to die back. The flowers open over about two months, starting from the bottom of the inflorescence The oldest flowers fade as the newer ones continue to open. Very shortly after the inflorescence is done, the new rosettes of leaves start to emerge, so there really isn't a dormant period, and I continue to water all year.
	Trichopilia fragrans It does live up to its name. Segments have wavy margins and a crystalline texture. And then there's that fried-egg lip! Native to a wide area of southern Central America and northern South America, elevation 1500-2500 m. I have found other members of the genus to be challenging, but this one does well under my conditions.
In the greenhouse...
Bulbophyllum maxillare (masdevalliaceum, blumei) Grows in a basket with little medum, a rambler. Flowers last only a week or so, but new ones are produced over 6 weeks or more. Native to Malaya, Borneo, Philippines and many Pacific islands. Likely its wide range led to the multiple names, having been "discovered" in multiple places.

Bulbophyllum moniliforme A micro-minniature. Pseudobulbs are about 2-3 mm, mostly leafless.
Ceratocentron fesselii Native to the island of Luzon in the Philippines, at about 1000 m. At that elevation, it is possible that it could grow cooler, but Baker indicates a minimum temperature of about 51 deg. F. so I think it does need a little winter protection.
Epidendrum ciliare From a wide area from Mexico through Central America into northern South America, over a range from 800-1200 m. I grew it outside for several years and it started to lose some new growths so I moved it into the greenhouse and it is doing much better.

From Chris Ehrler:

California Central Coast

Cool greenhouse unless otherwise noted.

Dendrochilum javierianum

A cool growing epiphyte growing in cloud forests in the Philippines at elevations above 1200 meters in bright light. Currently growing outside in a plastic pot filled with a bark mixture.

Pleurothallis mystax

Found in Panama in cloud forests at elevations of 650 to 1000 meters. Literature states this is a warm growing epiphyte, but this plant is growing well in a cool greenhouse where winter night temperatures can be as low at 40F. Growing in a clay pot filled with sphagnum moss. Has flowers for many months during the year.

Masdevallia tovarenis

A cool to cold growing epiphyte growing endemically in Venezuela at elevations of 1600 to 2400 meters. I have multiple divisions of this species with some growing outside and others in a cool greenhouse with some mounted and others in clay pots filled with sphagnum moss. One mounted division that is on the greenhouse has been in bloom for an entire year.

Masdevallia picea

Found in northern Peru and possibly Ecuador growing in cool environment elevations around 2700 meters as an epiphyte. Growing outside, mounted on a piece of wood with some sphagnum moss on the roots.

Myoxanthys serripetalus 'Chris' AM/AOS

A cool to cold growing terrestrial or epiphyte found in Peru and Ecuador on the eastern Andes at elevations of 1,000 to 3,100 meters. This plant is about 3 feet tall and produces flowers throughout the year. This orchid is growing in a clay pot filled with moss and placed in a cool greenhouse. But some keikeis from this orchid are growing well outside in a clay pot filled with moss. Blooms throughout the year.

Pleurothallis scurrula

This cold growing epiphyte is found in Peru at elevation about 2200 to 2400 meters. This orchid is growing Both mounted to a piece of wood with a small amount of sphagnum moss on the roots and in a clay pot filled with sphagnum moss.

Pleurothallis segoviensis

A hot to cool growing epiphytic species found in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador at elevations of 350 to 2,300 meters

Restrepia trichoglossa

A hot to cool growing epiphyte growing in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador in wet cloud forests at altitudes of 300 to 3,200 meters.

Scaphosepalum swertifolium pink 'Ecuagenera'

This epiphyte is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru in extremely wet montane cloud forests at elevations from 600 to 2,200 meters.

Stelis eublepharis ?

Label states this is Stelis eublepharis but it does not match the photos in orchidspecies.com. Stelis eublepharis is native to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and northwestern Venezuela as a cool growing epiphyte growing at elevations around 2,100.The photos of this species in orchidspecies.com show the cilia on the petals and sepals being longer, the sepals being more pointed, and the petals being different. So, the label probably should just be Stelis spp.

Laelia anceps

This species grows natively in Mexico and Honduras as a warm to cool growing epiphyte at elevations of 500 to 1,500 meters. Is considered a hardy drought-tolerant species that likes a dry winter rest. This orchid is growing outside in a plastic pot filled with granite rocks.

From James Lockman:

All plants grown outside, inland San Diego County, on a protected patio with 40% shade or more.

Heat is regulated with an AquaFog unit. Water is reverse osmosis treated. Beginning in early November, the patio is enclosed with panels of greenhouse poly and heated to 50 degrees F. Once outdoor minimums are above 50, the heat is discontinued, and the panels are gradually removed as the season warms up.
Losses to either cold or heat are minimal, though cold/heat stress may affect certain species.

Barkeria lindleyana ssp. lindleyana

From western mid-elevation seasonally dry oak forests native to southern Mexico to Costa Rica, this species is apparently not as demanding of complete dryness during dormancy.

Rhynchostele bictoniensis 'San Cristobal' HCC/AOS

Andy Phillips told me that he collected this cultivar in the mountains of Chiapas while visiting relatives there some 50 years ago, where he found it growing with full exposure in a rocky crevasse. While the species is considered a cool-intermediate grower, mine has thrived for a number of years in Fallbrook in partial shade with plenty of water during the warm season and a dry winter rest.

Cattleya cernua

From sea coast to mid-elevation open scrub native from central Brazil to northern Argentina growing on rock surfaces or small hardwood branches. Easier to grow than many other miniature Cattleyas from Brazil.

Coelia bella

A sturdy, usually terrestrial species, native from southern Mexico to Honduras. Year around moisture and some shade. Produces two spikes from each pseudobulb in Winter.

Dendrobium sanderae

From East Asia. This form, “Luzonicum”, does not have taxonomic standing, but indicates its Philippine origin. Seed grown strain. Easy to grow, flowers very long lasting, the inflorescence reminiscent of Easter lilies. The photographed plant is intermittently in bloom most of the year. I have several seedlings of this species, and some forms have larger flowers and much greener stenciling on the labellum.

Dendrobium victoriae-reginae

From high-elevation moist forests of the Philippines. Winter blooming on deciduous cane-like pseudobulbs. Cool to intermediate conditions with year-around moisture and some shade. I grow mine quite close to the Aqua-Fog unit.

Gastrochilus dasypogon
(syn. G. acutifolius)

Miniature Vanda relative from mid-elevation India, where it grows in partial shade with intermediate to warm conditions. My plant has withstood temperatures in the high 30’s without a problem. Easy to grow and bloom.

Dendrobium elongatum var. orientale (syn. Epigeneium triflorum var. orientale)

From mid- to high-elevation moist forest in central Java. Can form large clumps from creeping rhizomes.

Maxillaria ubatubana

From higher elevation moist forest of southeastern Brazil, this is a cooler growing species with fragrant flowers (not as overpowering as some) grown in partial shade and with slightly drier conditions in winter.

Laelia albida

From Mexico with similar growing conditions as Laelia anceps, though the plants are considerably smaller. Flowers have a light, sweet scent

Laelia anceps 'Deja vu'

Laelia anceps 'Rustic Canyon'

Laelia anceps 'Early Rose'

Laelia anceps is commonly grown in our area, I grow mine with 30-40% shade in Fallbrook. Many forms are available. Cultivars shown this month are ‘Early Rose’, ‘Rustic Canyon’, and ‘Déjà vu’

Laelia autumnalis 'Magna'

While the species is widely grown, this cultivar has flowers 2-3 times the size of the typical form, with a similarly larger inflorescence. Outstanding showy form.

Tuberolabium quisumbingii

Another miniature member of the Vanda tribe, native to Luzon, Philippines. Considered an intermediate-warm grower in bright light, I have found the species to be tolerant of cooler winter temperatures and has consistently flowered here every winter. Flowers are mildly fragrant.

From Arnold Markman:
Coastal San Diego area Intermediate Greenhouse, 60% shade cloth, daily watering unless otherwise noted.

Oncidium vulcanicum (Cochlioda vulcanica) From Colombia at elevation up to 3000meters
Mediocalcar decoratum This little gem from the montane forests of New Guinea certainly brightens the short winter days.

Oncidium cheirophorum This plant is from Central America and grows up to 2500 m. It is said to grow in full sun, so I grow it high in the greenhouse. Flowers are rather short-lived.

Oncidium sotoanum (ornithorhynchum) This Mexican orchid from high montaine forests has hundreds of rather short-lived flowers.
Pleurothallis ornata This small Mexican orchid grows cool at 2500 meters. It’s almost magical to watch the 1mm “flags” fluttering in the breeze.
Polystachya subdiphylla This orchid is from montane forest in Tanzania at 2000 m. Second blooming.

Pleurothallis palliolata This orchid grows in Colombia up to 2100 meters. Above left, plant grown from a keiki, that produces mostly flowers. Directly above, the mother plant from which it came, which produces mostly keikis.

Stelis dalstroemii This amazing orchid has over a thousand 2mm flowers on multiple inflorescences. It grows at 2000 meters in Ecuador.

Vanda nana (Ascocentrum pusillum) Grows in the montaine forest of Southeast Asia. Grown high in the greenhouse.