Free Epiphytic Orchids....IF you have a greenhouse AND...

[epiphyte]

I recently purchased a large group of epiphytic 'species' orchids that had been located in a greenhouse. I should have only bought the ones that I recognized as potentially being able to survive outdoors but I couldn't help myself and purchased others that probably aren't going to survive without a greenhouse. The problem is that I don't have a greenhouse and many of the orchids are in dire need of expert attention.

So if you have greenhouse and live within a 30 minute radius of Glendale, CA and have orchid growing experience... please contact me and we can discuss the possibility of your boarding the orchids in return for any new orchids via divisions/keikis. Carlos ( Phone Number Edited Please PM Member for Details )

[jay]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry I don't have a greenhouse, but I was curious as to how many do you have? Do you have any indoors?

Jay

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I used to live in Glendale, CA, and my sister-in-law, Judy, still does and is growing quite a few orchids out doors. Are there any that you are unsure of as to ability to grow outdoors? Judy has found that quite a few grow outdoors that one may not have thought would.

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by jay

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry I don't have a greenhouse, but I was curious as to how many do you have? Do you have any indoors?

Jay

man , you asked the wrong question. When cynthia said a lot , it is alot!
Just ask her about the 700++ collection.


I wish, i was your next door neighbour Cynthia. I have my 4 feet by 2 feet
seedling growing area filled. whole corridor filled and a small ledge facing
southeast filled. PLus two more south east facing window not filled up yet.
Probably not orchids. Thinking of roses now. My North facing window
growing Bougainvillea. Oh it just bloom. Nice...

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

You missed one of my more recent posts on the subject, Digitalg. I am over 1000. Boy is this greenhouse getting crowded. I am really starting to look very critically at every opportunity to add to my collection. I've always liked the opportunity to experiment with something new, but now, I only look at what are really 'must have' orchids.

[flowerchild]

HOLY MOLY thats a lot of orchids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought I was doing well with about 25!!!!

[epiphyte]

Here's the list of orchids that I recently purchased...minus the dozen or so without labels.

Name
D. alexandrae
D. aphrodite
D. canaliculatum
D. capituliflorum v.alba
D. gracilicaule v.howeanum
D. hawaii giant
D. jenkinsii
D. johnsoniae
D. loddigesii
D. miyakei new type
D. parishii
D. purpureum (2)
D. rigidum (3)
D. secundum 'alba' (4)
D. senile
D. smilliae
D. smilliae alba
D. striolatum
D. thyrsiflorum
D. violaceum
D. wassellii
P. amabilis (2)
P. amabilis 'taida'
P. bastianii
P. Eq
P. lindenii
P. lobbii
P. Mannii
P. minus (4)
P. parishii (3)
P. pulcherrima
P. pulchra
V. spathulata
V. teres v. 'andersonii' (4)

Anybody have any thoughts as to which ones could be grown outdoors year around in Glendale, CA? I'll trade the greenhouse ones for outdoor epiphytic ones if anybody is interested.

[Neyra]

Can you state what are the lows where you live? Maybe that would help answer your questions.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The Den loddigesii and parishii will grow outdoors. There maybe a few more I can identify when I have time. None of the Phals will with the possible exception of manii, as it needs a cool rest, but not sure it is that cool. Glendale gets an occasional frost. That Vanda spathulata is something I would like to keep track of. I am trying to self my virused spathulata, and have not been successful so far. May need a different pollen parent.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

D. canaliculatum, no
D. capituliflorum, no
D. miyakei, probably not
D. secundum, maybe
D. senile, maybe
D. smilliae, probably not
D. thyrsiflorum, yes

Tonight I will look up the likely minimums in Bakers Den book. Well, maybe very soon. Have a lot coming up this week.

[epiphyte]

Thanks for the information Cynthia. Right now I've got them all outside under shade cloth but when it starts getting colder I suppose I'll need to bring the less hardy ones inside.

Does anybody know if keeping outdoor orchids moist during cold spells helps protect them from the cold compared to if they were completely dry? I think I heard that somewhere but can't remember where.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

For most, dry is better.

PLANT ................ PROBABLE EXTREME LOW
D. alexandrae ................. 43F 6C
D. aphrodite .................... 45F 7C
D. canaliculatum .............. 43F 6C
D. capituliflorum v.alba .... 53F 12C
D. gracilicaule v.howeanum 28F -2C Good one...........
D. hawaii giant ....???? need parents
D. jenkinsii ..................... 31F -1C Good one.............
D. johnsoniae ................. 58F 15C
D. loddigesii ................... 21F -6C Good one.............
D. miyakei new type ....... 50F 10C
D. parishii ...................... 32F 0C Good one..............
D. purpureum (2) ........... 58F 15C
D. rigidum (3) ................ 46F 8C
D. secundum 'alba' (4) .... 33F 1C Good one..............
D. senile ........................ 27F -3C Good one.............
D. smilliae ..................... 43F 6C
D. smilliae alba .............. 43F 6C
D. striolatum ................. 28F -2C Good one..............
D. thyrsiflorum .............. 28F -2C Good one...............
D. violaceum ................. 35F 2C ...??..............
D. wassellii ............... ~ 50-55F 10-13C
P. amabilis (2) .............. 52F 11C
P. amabilis 'taida' .......... 52F 11C
P. bastianii ................... no info
P. Eq .............. (equestris? 56F 13C)
P. lindenii ..................... 46F 8C
P. lobbii ........................ 33F .6C ...??...............
P. Mannii ...................... 32F 0C ...??................
P. minus (4) ................. no info
P. parishii (3) ............... 52F 11C
P. pulcherrima .............. no info
P. pulchra .................... 42F 6C
V. spathulata ............... no info
V. teres v. 'andersonii' (4) no info

[epiphyte]

Wow Cynthia! That's awesome! I've been trying to look around for a resource that has minimum temperatures for orchids but haven't been able to find much. I'm currently in the process of compiling a list of hardy to semi-hardy epiphytic orchids and would like to be able to cross reference various sources with regards to cold tolerance. Do you mind if I asked which references you've found most useful for cold tolerance information?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Baker's 'Orchid Species Culture'. There are three of these books, 'Dendrobiums', 'Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance', and one that lists a lot of plants starting with 'P', which includes Phals, but not Paphs. I got 2 of these as used hardbound books, and the Oncidium as a pre-publication order for a price less than I paid for the others. You can look at Abes Books or Alibris, even Amazon for used copies. Also, there is a paper back version of some. The Onc and Den books are 1000 page wonders, and you should be able to get them for around $60 each. The other is the first of the Baker books published and is same size format (8.5 X 11?), but has a lot less pages. The information on each plant is incredible, and available no where else in one place. You can also get info on individual plants by buying a subscription to his sheets for a little less than a dollar apiece.
Orchid Culture - Charles and Margaret Baker
Check out the free sheets on this site. The monthly habitat weather info is worth the price of the sheets.

[MSPProductions]

epiphite, I definitely think some of the dendrobiums will do OK outdoors. I would look at the list that Cynthia did an amazing job compiling. It so rarely
will frost in our area that I think the 'borderline' ones should do fine as well.

I'm in Culver City but I'm really pressed for indoor space...I wish I could take some in for you. It would be tempting to build a new shelf for some of those phals.

Carlos, are these seedlings, near blooming or blooming size?

[epiphyte]

Thanks Cynthia for those references... I've already purchased a few culture sheets and plan on purchasing more. They are quite detailed and useful.

MSPProductions, regarding the phals... there's a couple or so blooming size and a handful of near blooming size and seedlings. All but three are mounted. You're more than welcome to come over and take a look at them.

[fred]

just a tip for you epiphyte
can you please go into your user setting and update you Profile with your Location.

this will also help us to understand your growing conditions and with giving you advice to you.

[epiphyte]

Thanks for the tip... I've updated my profile to include my location.