Little Purple Stars
This tiny orchid’s name is bigger than the plant itself. Lepanthopsis astrophora is a Masdevallia relative, and it’s easier to grow than it is to pronounce. Its species name translates from the Latin as “producing stars,” and since this orchid can bloom for months at a time, it certainly earns the moniker.
It helps to have Dave’s macro lens, or a magnifying glass, to really appreciate these tiny stars. Each blossom is just a speck of color, only 3/16 inch (5 mm) tall, but still a fully formed flower. This mini can produce dozens of blooms at a time, so it’s easy to enjoy the mass of purple flowers even without a lens.
Native to coastal rainforests in Venezuela and Colombia, these orchids need daily water, constant high humidity, and good air movement. Small plants can dry out quickly in high temps or high winds, and Lepanthopsis has thin roots and no pseudobulbs. It may require daily attention, but I find it’s worth the trouble to have my own collection of little purple stars.
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July 25th, 2010 at 9:46 am
My eyes are too bad for me to ever grow an orchid that small. If it bloomed I wouldn’t even realize it!!
July 30th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
cool pics thanks
August 4th, 2010 at 4:45 am
Wonderful photos of a really amazing orchid species. Such beauty makes it all worthwhile.
August 7th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
good revews that realy improve picture
August 8th, 2010 at 9:57 am
great pics! thanks for th post!
September 5th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
That’s great macro photography! I love the close-up shots. The flowers sparkle, they look like they have glitter on them.