The return of the miniature dendrobiums

MANILA, Philippines - Bangkok Flower Center through Dr. Uthai Chanarasri during the early 70’s initiated the breeding of miniature Dendrobiums. This was followed by some very good lines done by Dr. Prapin of Chao Phraya Orchids. The key was the use of Dendrobium biggibum compactum. The short-statured plants came in pinks, whites and white with red lips or red throats. 

Filipino orchid traders bought the hybrids but were dismayed when the customers refuse to buy them. Pit against the cutflower varieties, the small plants do not have a fighting chance. The customers want to pay only P20. for a flowering plant (below production cost). The miniature Dendrobiums vanished from the Philippine market.   

Recently, there is an upsurge in interest in miniature Dendrobiums. After 3 decades, growers finally see the virtues of the little treasures: What the minis do not have in size, they make up for in flower spike volume per pseudobulb and frequency of blooming, thereby making them some of the most floriferous orchids on earth. One Thai grower referring to miniature Dendrobium Sri Racha-compactum hybrid commented: “That thing never stopped blooming!!!” 

With the second coming of the Miniature Dendrobiums, new color and flower forms are showing up in the market. Pansy flowered, trilabiates, partial trilabiates, megalabiates, splash, foliage variegata, cannaliculatums, minihorned, yellows, browns and short necks are showing up in the market. The cretins or what the breeders considered runts (which they threw out because flowerstalks are too short) during the 70’s are exactly what the European and Japanese market want now because the flowers are held near the plants giving it a favorable “Flower to Plant Color Ratio”.

The world will see more of these little gems in the near future.