Stelis cilliolata

Stelis cilliolata is a mini-miniature orchid species with short sprays of pink flowers that demand inspection with a magnifying glass. The small pink flowers are surrounded by fluffy little hairs (hence the name). 

The species is endemic to Ecuador where it is found in wet forests from 1500 to 2400m and we find it straight forward when kept cool and well watered.

 We grow all of our stelis species in our cloud forest greenhouse with a minimum of 12C. We keep plants well watered throughout the year so that they never dry out completely. We shade the greenhouse to keep plants cool and protected from summer sun. In its native habitat stelis aprica grows below the tree canopy on the trunc and lower branches of trees.  Indoors we grow the species on the shaded windowsill of our downstairs bathroom and water every couple of days.