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.

If you’re wondering why I’m honoring the summer solstice with cool-growing Masdevallias, then you’ve probably never experienced San Francisco’s summer fog. While we often have sunny days and yes, even heat waves, the vast, chilly Northern Pacific is just a few miles away. Our natural air-conditioning makes these orchids some of our local icons. For those of you already sweltering in summer heat, don’t worry — there are lots of sunny-looking Vandas, too.

Pronounced “oh-ee-NEE-ella,” rhymes with “go see me, Ella,” its name comes from Greek words describing the flower’s resemblance to an eagle’s wings. Maybe the pointed tip on the flower lip also inspired thoughts of a bird’s beak.

Oeoniellas are native to Madagascar, the Seychelles, and other small islands of the Indian Ocean. They need high humidity, bright light, warm temperatures, and regular water. With good humidity, they can handle temps over 90F (32 C.) Flowers can last a month or more. Like many white orchids from Africa, they’re only fragrant at night when their moth pollinators are active.

Have you ever seen a leafless orchid? Like the famous Ghost Orchid, the small Chiloschista orchid in the next two shots has chlorophyll in its roots. In the third photo, an unusual Australian Pterostylis does have leaves, although you can’t see them here. It’s known as the King Greenhood, and it’s related to the smaller greenhood species I keep.

These Masdevallias were also among the show’s spectacular specimens. Also in the Masdevallia family, the frilly and colorful leaves of this tiny Lepanthes compensate for its minuscule flowers.

Finally, strange Gongora flowers give the impression of flying birds. With petals stretched back like wings, they fly around their flower spike. These sweetly scented flowers last less than a week, and like the annual orchid show, require patience for next year after they’re gone.

Dave’s macro photography skills make it possible to really appreciate this mini Masdevallia relative. Whatever the plant lacks in stature, it compensates with perseverance. This species is a frequent bloomer, producing flowers for months at a time. It’s native to cloud forests from Nicaragua south to Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru. In cultivation, it likes consistent watering, warm temperatures, and high humidity.

With tiny flowers that emerge under the leaf, this Trichosalpinx can sometimes bloom without me realizing it. Even when it’s hiding its flowers, however, new leaves provide great color. Young leaves start with a reddish-purple tint, and then fade to a light green.

Dr. Jost works for Ecuador’s EcoMinga Foundation, a non-profit conservation group dedicated to preserving Ecuador’s astonishing biodiversity, much of which is still unknown to modern science. He stated that “It’s a very exciting feeling to find a new species. People think everything has been discovered, but there’s much more to be discovered.”

He found the new orchid growing among another orchid’s roots. He had collected the larger orchid several months earlier, but didn’t see the miniature one until it bloomed.

This Oncidium relative takes up much less space than an aviary. It’s a mini orchid with flowers just 0.4 inches (1 cm) high. The blooms may be small, but there are lots of them, with each spike carrying a dozen or more. They can last as long as 2 months with regular water and high humidity.

Some orchids are undergoing name changes as scientists use DNA analysis to better understand the massive orchid family. This species used to be named Sigmatostalix, but is now called Ornithophora. No matter the name, this easy grower is a great alternative to changing the newspaper in a birdcage.

It’s too easy to rationalize bringing home more beautiful blooms when the entire plant is only 8 inches (20 cm) tall. These flowers are just 1.25  inches (3.2 cm) across. Their diminutive size belies how sturdy they are. Like their larger Phal cousins, it’s even possible to force these mini orchids to rebloom.

When we started to sweat in the displays with warm growing plants, it was great to step into the Highland Tropics Gallery to cool off. The Conservatory has a large collection of cool growing orchids, native to tropical mountain rainforests. These extraordinary members of the Masdevallia family enjoy the cool temperatures. Some are full of color, while others gleam in translucent white.

I’ve saved the strangest flowers for last. Among the more unusual blooms are 2 small, cool growing Masdevallia relatives. The first photo shows a tiny Scaphosepalum flower, seemingly in flight. The second photo may look like a fuzzy caterpillar, but it’s actually a group of miniature Stelis flowers. Finally, a large, weird (non-orchid) flower is known as the Bat Flower, or Cat’s Whiskers. They’re all part of the Conservatory’s remarkable displays.

This species is native to the Philippines, where it’s a neighbor to this Oberonia on the island of Luzon. The flowers open during the day and close at night, and last about a week and a half.

The Bulbophyllum genus contains hundreds of fascinating and unusual species. Some are enormous, others microscopic. Many have bizarrely shaped flowers. This spotted species doesn’t have a scent, but some in the genus produce the smell of rotting meat to attract flies to pollinate them. Although these aren’t commonly offered for sale, it’s reason enough to check the fragrance of an orchid before you buy it.