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This compact, epiphytic Stelis (resembling Stelis dussii) likely thrives in humid, shaded tropical forests on Guadeloupe’s Basse-Terre, possibly in cool, misty montane rainforests (400–1100m), perhaps near La Soufrière. It grows on bark, branches, and trunks in the forest’s under- or mid-canopy, where constant moisture and filtered light create ideal conditions.

A true indicator of intact, old-growth tropical forests, its delicate inflorescences and narrow leaves love warm temps and high humidity. Fun fact: If humidity drops, the flowers close fast, even just opening my orchidarium door can trigger it!

This miniature, caespitose epiphytic orchid is found from Cuba to Bolivia (70–2100m) in wet montane and piedmont forests. Its short ramicauls carry a single narrowly oblanceolate, dark green, leathery leaf, while the 10 cm long, zigzagged inflorescence bears 8–11 simultaneous, pale brown, 4 mm flowers in spring through late summer!

Care: Needs high humidity, shade, and good airflow. Mount on cork or grow in fine bark mix. Easy to grow, perfect for miniature orchid lovers! Often confused with P. marginata or P. pissina, but S. picta has simultaneous blooms.

This miniature, caespitose epiphytic orchid from coastal Venezuela and Colombia (700–1500m) thrives in warm to intermediate conditions. Its erect, slender ramicauls carry a single elliptical, leathery leaf, while the 12 cm tall, flexuous inflorescence bears many simultaneous, brilliant violet, star-shaped flowers (4 mm each) in spring, summer, and fall!

Care: Needs high humidity, shade, and good airflow. Mount on cork or grow in fine bark mix. Easy to grow, perfect for miniature orchid lovers!

This miniature epiphytic orchid (200–1500m) thrives in warm to intermediate temps (day: 18–27°C, night: 10–18°C). Loves 75–80% humidity, partial shade (4.000–8.000 lux (75–150 µmol/m²/s PPFD)), and a well-draining mix (bark, charcoal, perlite, sphagnum). Water to keep moist but not soggy, drier in winter helps bloom induction!

Care tip: Mount on cork with live sphagnum or use fine, airy mixes in pots. Avoid ferntree for mounting, roots are too delicate! Needs a 10°C day-night temp drop to flower.

Dryadella edwallii is an epiphytic orchid from Brazil (350–1800m) and thrives in temperate conditions (day: 12–22°C, night: 8–15°C). Loves 75–80% humidity, partial shade (75–150 µmol/m²/s PPFD), and a well-draining mix (bark, charcoal, perlite, sphagnum). Water to keep moist but not soggy—drier in winter helps bloom induction!

Care tip: Mount on cork with live sphagnum (Sphagnum cristatum) or use fine, airy mixes in pots. Avoid fanjan for mounting—roots are too delicate! Needs a 10°C day-night temp drop to flower. Successive or single blooms. Relatively easy—great for beginners!

Zygostates apiculata
This miniature, warm to hot-growing epiphyte thrives in cloud forests of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia (60–500m). It features small, clustered pseudobulbs with thick, lance-shaped leaves and blooms in spring with 1 cm flowers on a 2 cm inflorescence (9–15 flowers) ​⁠.
Care: Needs 23–30°C, medium light (8000 lux), and high humidity. Water regularly but let the mix dry between waterings. Grow in a coarse, well-draining mix or mounted ​⁠.
A forgiving plant—repot every 2–3 years in late winter.

This miniature epiphytic orchid, Porroglossum tripollex, from Ecuador thrives in cool to temperate conditions. Its 1–1.5 cm successive flowers bloom on a tiny 3 cm plant, featuring a unique insect-trapping lip—the lip snaps shut when touched, making it tricky to photograph open!

Care: High humidity (70–100%), partial shade, and well-draining sphagnum or fine bark mix. Tolerates a range of temps but avoid drying out.

Nicknamed the "Three-Thumbed Porroglossum" for its distinctive sepal tails.

This is the last picture for now. I have to process my new pictures first 😉

Pleuroglossum tokachii (Luer, 1994) is a mini-miniature epiphytic orchid from Peru’s high-altitude cloud forests (~2000m). Its slender, blackish ramicauls and rigid, elliptical leaves make it a striking addition to any collection. Blooming in winter/spring, it produces successive flowers (1.5 cm wide) on an erect, 8 cm inflorescence, subtle but captivating!

Prefers cool to cold temperatures, high humidity (70–100%), and bright shade. Grow mounted or in fine bark with perlite/sphagnum. Keep moist but not soggy.

Similar to P. dalstroemii but has shorter, broader leaves, a non-rotated ovary, and a low, longitudinal lip. A rare gem for Pleurothallid lovers!

Pleurothallis cubitoria (Luer, 1981) is a charming epiphytic orchid from Ecuador’s cloud forests (1800–2600m). Its long, narrow leaves and white flowers with a yellow lip make it a standout! The name cubitoria refers to its flower’s reclined position, like lounging in a chair.

Care: Cool to temperate (day 12–18°C, night 8–11°C), 70–100% humidity, and deep shade. Mount on a plaque with sphagnum or use a small pot with pine bark, charcoal, and perlite. Keep moist but not soggy—young shoots are sensitive to water!

A relatively easy Pleurothallis for beginners.

Masdevallia roseola (Luer, 1980) is a floriferous and relatively easy-to-grow orchid from the humid mountain forests of Ecuador and Peru (600–2360m). Its pink sepals give it a unique charm! As a bonus it has a nice fragrance, like honey.

Care: Cool to temperate (day 12–18°C, night 8–11°C), 75–80% humidity, and filtered light. Mount it with a little sphagnum for best results, or use a small pot with pine bark, charcoal, perlite, and sphagnum. Water carefully—excess moisture is deadly!

Masdevallia xanthina is a mini-miniature cool-growing epiphyte from the cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador, found at 1500–2800 m. First collected by Veitch & Sons in 1880, Reichenbach named it for its yellow flowers — though colour varies from bright yellow to pale white, with the diagnostic dark "eye-spots" at the base of the lateral sepals present in all forms.

It belongs to subsect. Caudatae, recognisable by the blackish ramicauls, slender yellow sepaline tails, and white petals with a basal callus. The red/orange form remains taxonomically disputed — some treat it as M. mandarina, others as a variety of xanthina.

Care: cool temps (8–20°C), filtered light (85–110 µmol/m²/s PPFD), high humidity (min. 80%), consistently moist substrate. Best mounted on a plate. I have it in a little pot. Works also fine.

Masdevallia patriciana (Luer & Andreetta, 1983) is a challenging yet rewarding epiphytic orchid from Ecuador’s cloud forests (2300m). Named after Patricia Cevallos de Malo, its small, leathery leaves and elegant flowers make it a true gem!

Care: Cool (day 12–18°C, night 8–12°C), 75–85% humidity, and filtered light (75–110 µmol/m²/s). Mount on ferntree with a little sphagnum for best results, pots can work too but require small, tight spaces. Water carefully; it’s sensitive to excess moisture!

Masdevallia menatoi (Luer & Vásquez, 1980) is an epiphytic orchid from the cloud forests of Bolivia (1800m). Named after its discoverer, Dino Menato, this species is known for its successive blooming: flower spikes can produce blooms for years!

Grow it in temperate conditions (day 12–22°C, night 8–15°C) with 75–85% humidity and filtered light. Use a mix of pine bark, charcoal, perlite, and sphagnum, or mount on a plaque with sphagnum. Fertilize lightly (100 ppm/month) and keep the substrate slightly moist.

The darker variant, originally named Masdevallia foeda, is now considered the same species. A relatively easy Masdevallia for beginners—just don’t cut the flower spikes too soon, as they can bloom for years!

I have two of this species. There habitus is different. One has a bigger inflorensce, bigger leaves and more leathery and the flowers is bigger and more open. The other one is smaller in everything. And still they are both M. amanda. The first pictures are of the bigger one.

More info:
Masdevallia amanda (1854) is a stunning yet demanding orchid from the cloud forests of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela (1500–3000m). Its white to pale pink flowers (2–4 cm) with long sepal tails make it irresistible!

Care: Cool (day 12–20°C, night 8–13°C), 70–85% humidity, filtered light. Fertilize weakly (100 ppm/month) and keep the substrate slightly moist. Use a mix of pine bark, charcoal, perlite, and sphagnum.

Challenging but worth it!