Gastrochilus sororiusThis miniature orchid from the Trichoglottis Alliance was first described by Schlechter in 1913. It hails from the hills and lower montane forests of the Greater Sunda Islands where it grows at elevations up to about 1550 meters. The flowers form small clusters on a very short inflorescence and they are small, about 15 mm, but has great detail. I love the “fringe” on the lip, it looks almost like a beard. Check out this amazing drawing of the flower from 1914.

It is a warm growing epiphyte that is loving life in my warm vivarium as it is blooming almost constantly. I grow mine in high humidity (80-90%), at warm temperatures 24 (winter) to 28 degrees (summer) and under medium/high light. At least in these conditions I would say it is very easy to grow and flower. I warmly recommend it. I definitely want more of these little guys in my warm viv.