Name: Smitinandia micrantha (Lindl.) Holttum
Synonyms: Saccolabium micranthum Lindl., Cleisostoma micranthum (Lindl.) King & Pantl., Gastrochilus micranthus (Lindl.) Kuntze, Uncifera micrantha (Lindl.) Holttum
Etymology: Smitinandia = named in honor of the Thai botanist Tem Smitinand; micrantha = small-flowered, composed of the Ancient Greek words mikros (small) and anthos (flower).

First description: 1833 by John Lindley (as Saccolabium micranthum); recombined into the genus Smitinandia in 1969 by Richard Eric Holttum.
Origin / Distribution: From the Himalayas (India, Nepal, Bhutan) through Southwest China (Yunnan) and Indochina to the Malay Peninsula and Borneo.
Location / Habitat: Monopodial-epiphytic growth in seasonal deciduous and cloud forests at elevations of approximately 300 to 1,500 meters. After deflasking, it requires intermediate to warm conditions, bright, indirect light (no direct midday sun), 70–80% humidity, and continuous, good air circulation.
Description & Notes: Smitinandia micrantha is a robust, monopodially growing miniature to small orchid related to the Vandeae. The plants produce leathery, distichously arranged leaves and dense, raceme-like inflorescences. The numerous, extremely delicate individual flowers usually measure only a few millimeters but fascinate with their pretty color patterns in shades of white, pink, and purple, featuring a prominent, saccate lip. A wonderful species for lovers of Asian epiphytes, which, after deflasking, is ideally suited for cultivation mounted on cork/hardwood or in small baskets in a terrarium or intermediate-temperature display case.

In-vitro culture: You will receive a flask with 4 young plants. The plants are generally large enough to be deflasked. After opening, carefully remove the nutrient medium completely from the roots with lukewarm water and plant the young plants in fine, very airy bark with some sphagnum moss or mount them carefully. For the first few weeks, we recommend high humidity, warm to intermediate temperatures, and bright but protected light with good air movement. Keep evenly slightly moist; only gradually increase the drying intervals between waterings once the plants are securely established.