Gastrochilus minutiflorus

Gastrochilus minutiflorus Averyanov (1997) is a small epiphytic orchid, originally described from Cao Bang District, Vietnam, and later recorded in Yunnan and Guangxi, China. It typically grows on tree trunks in limestone forests of the dry evergreen type, at elevations of about 770–900 meters.

Features:

• Flowers are unusually small (“minutiflorus” = “small-flowered”), with inflorescences bearing 3-8 flowers.

• Leaves are leathery, often densely spotted with purple-violet or nearly entirely purple-violet.

Care Tips:

• Provide bright, indirect light; avoid strong direct sun to keep leaves from burning.

• Keep humidity relatively high (around 60-80%) if possible.

• Temperatures: intermediate to cool-intermediate conditions are preferred. Do not expose to very hot or very cold extremes.

• Growing medium: epiphytic setup works best — mounting on bark, or in baskets / mounts with well-draining media (fir bark, sphagnum moss, etc.) so roots get moisture yet good airflow.

• Water more frequently during the growing / active period, reduce watering slightly after flowering.

• Good air circulation helps prevent fungal or rot issues, especially in humid conditions.