Scaphosepalum rapax

Warty, weird and wonderful.  The Scaphosepalums are sequential bloomers.  I had seen pictures of the flowers of this species before, but never realized what size the plant is.  It's a real gem, compact and floriferous.

Lepanthes aeora

Lepanthes aeora, originally uploaded by Duane McDowell.

This is the first really mature Lepanthes in my collection. I got it from Orchids Limited here in the Twin Cities. It has been in bloom continuously for months now, and is always growing. It is a very vigorous plant. From Ecuador.
Also available from Ecuagenera at: http://www.ecuagenera.com

Porroglossum meridionale (lip up)

Porroglossum meridionale (lip up), originally uploaded by Duane McDowell.

Porr. meridionale is one of my favorite orchids to grow. Beautiful pebbly leaves with red netting, sequential blooms several times per year, and great presentation. For me, it's been a very easy grower, doubling in size every few months.
The lip is "spring-loaded." When an insect lands on the lip, the lip snaps up, smashing the bug into the column. This dislodges the pollen onto the bug's back, and if the bug has already been on another flower, this bloom gets pollinated. The bug is released unharmed after this undignified treatment. It must be a good system - they keep coming back for more... Maybe its like a bug roller-coaster ride...

Lepanthes telipogoniflora

Lepanthes telipogoniflora, originally uploaded by Duane McDowell.

I just can't get enough of this one. Tiny little plant with massive flowers (well, fingernail-sized anyway). Grows easily and blooms all the time.

Epidendrum embreei

Epidendrum embreei, originally uploaded by Duane McDowell.

Tony and Barbara Nunnery's home, Tandayapa, Ecuador. December, 2005

Odontoglossum sp. - Ecuador

IMG_1329, originally uploaded by Duane McDowell.

Elleanthus species - Andes above Mindo, Ecuador

Elleanthus species - Andes above Mindo, Ecuador, originally uploaded by Duane McDowell.

On our first day in mainland Ecuador, we took a bus to a high-elevation lake area. This Elleanthus was growing terrestrially in full sun.

Pleurothallis species - Andes above Mindo, Ecuador

Pleurothallis species - Andes above Mindo, Ecuador, originally uploaded by Duane McDowell.
Growing terrestrially in full sun at high altitude. I don't know the taxonomy of this group well enough to know if I've even got the right genus...  I think a lot of these are considered Stelis now.  Definitely a tough plant - this was a harsh environment.

Scaphosepalum merinoi

Scaphosepalum merinoi, originally uploaded by Duane McDowell.

Great sequential bloomer. The plant is 4-5" tall and the blooms are about 2" across. It throws lots of spikes all the time, so it's almost always in bloom. I grow it on the cool side of intermediate in my terrarium. The spikes are a little long (8-10"), but they run out horizontal from the base of the plant, so they don't bump up against the top of the terrarium.
http://www.ecuagenera.com

Lepanthes aeora (Side view)

Lepanthes aeora (Side view), originally uploaded by Duane McDowell.

This is an everblooming and very vigorous plant. It's not terribly showy (except in close-up), but it's a joy.
I grow it on tree fern in the terrarium.
http://www.ecuagenera.com

Platystele orectoglossa - Ecuador

Platystele orectoglossa - Ecuador, originally uploaded by Duane McDowell.

Another nice miniature. I grow it in the terrarium on the cool side of intermediate. I love the blooms and how long it stays in flower. The spikes get a little rangy after a while - I cut them off when they start looking ratty.
This one came from Orchids Limited here in MN (http://www.orchidweb.com)
Originally from Ecuagenera (http://www.ecuagenera.com).