There is no doubt that the orchids are some of the most beautiful flowering plants in this whole world. You would be a firm believer of this truth until you discover the world of the miniature orchids. Given that they are only maximum six inches tall you have to see them to believe how extraordinarily beautiful they are.

The miniature orchids are very much similar to the regular flowers with the only exception that they are tinier. Since this means they would be accommodated in smaller pots and so you would need to water them more frequently than the regular blooms.  The best medium for these flowers would be tree fern plus fir bark and perlite because this would provide adequate aerating as well as hold in sufficient water.

There are three types of miniature orchids classified after the climates they prefer, i.e. those which love the heat or the tropical ones, those which are okay with the in-between climates and lastly those who prefer freezing temperatures.

Tropical Miniature Orchids

These orchids love the tropical climate and would grow best when there is a lot of sun and warmth in the air. Among those who could be mentioned here are the Aerangis distincta from Africa which has some exceptionally beautiful white flowers, the Aerangus citrata, a native of Madagascar, which has immensely fragrant flowers, the Leptotes bicolor from Brazil which given white and fuchsia flowers only twice a year and the Polystachya bella from Kenya which has exceptionally beautiful yellow flowers.

In-Between Miniature Orchids

These plants thrive best in medium temperatures where there are mild winters and cold summers. In this bracket you have the scented Laelia pumila from Brazil which gives an amazing yellow and lavender combination flower, the Pleurathallis ornate from Mexico which has very unusual but very beautiful fringed flowers, the Epidendrum porpax from Central America which is just three inches tall, and the Masdevallia infracta – another miniature from Brazil – which gives a copper and lavender mix color flowers.

Ice Maidens

These miniatures thrive in cold climates where winters are severe and summers are cool.  Some examples for these types of orchids are the Cochlioda densiflora from Peru which has an astounding bloom of flame color flowers, the Encyclia mariae of Mexico which grows about five inches in height  and gives delicately sculpted green flowers as big as the plant itself, and the Sophronitis coccinea from Brazil which gives bright red flowers that grow even after they bloom.

Tags: Ice Maidens, In-Between Miniature Orchids, Miniature Orchids, Tropical Miniature Orchids

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