Hello!

[Michelle]

I'm a native Floridian, so have been growing orchids in my backyard for awhile. I'm one of those "Leave them alone and see what happens" types of growers, and I've had a fair amount of success with that philosophy However, I'd like to branch out and try growing some orchid types that I've had the least success with. Dendrobiums, oncidiums, and cattleyas grow like weeds in my backyard (I actually just finished repotting a monster oncidium who was in desparate need of splitting into about 12 new pots). I have very BAD luck trying to grow my orchids indoors, and I'd like to have some "indoor cats", so to speak. I've had really bad luck with paphs (probably too hot here for these) and phals. I also have a cymbidium that I'd like to see flower but again; I'm afraid it's too hot here in FL for that to happen without some ICU work. But I'm a med student, so I don't exactly have the time to dedicate to that. Thanks!

[jay]

Hello and welcome to the forum. We would love to see some pictures of all of your plants you keep outside. I am especially interested in the larger plants in bloom since they put on such a nice show.

The Paphs can be done in warm climates if you keep them indoors. They like a lot less light than what you normally grow. I live in a desert that reaches 130F in the summer and half of my collection is Paphs. Phals will need similar conditions.

The key is lots of air movement. Your plants outside are constantly getting fresh air because of the breezes. You need to duplicate this inside for your plants to do well.

Keep us updated and be sure to ask questions.

[articuno75]

Hi Michelle and to the forum!

Yes pics are nice, we love pics!!!

You came to the right place for the indoor growing Give it a go and we'll help you!

[fred]

Hi Michelle
welcome to the forum
Its nice to have you with us
the forum has a lot of caring members that have heaps of knowledge
so ask all the questions you need to as we are all here to help you

[Michelle]

Thanks! I will post pictures as soon as I make enough posts (?) I have a few questions about phals that I'm going to post tonight.

[jay]

If you need to get the number of posts up, just reply to this thread a few more times so that you can post the pictures.

[Michelle]

The biggies aren't in bloom right now, they just shot out TONS of new growths, and I was sick of looking at them all scrunched and overflowing in the few pots there were in, so I split 'em up. I have a week off from school right now, I try to get all my TLC in on my mini-breaks! I'll take some pics tomorrow and post. I've got a lot of baby catts that I stole from my dad's bigger plants that I am especially loving right now (proud mama!) I'll put these up as well.

[psyc1210]

Welcome!!!

[solay]

Welcome to the forum. I can't wait to see the plant growing wildly like weeds. I'm jealous. I keep fussing with my Catts. and they are growing too slow for my taste. Nice to meet you and hope to hear more about your chids.

[Tobi]

Hi and welcome to the forum Michelle.

[Bolero]

Welcome to the forum! Great place to visit and learn about orchid growing.

[patticake]

Michele! Good to have you with us. Paphs and Phals would do o.k. where you are, they would probably have to be indoors... I'm up north, so my conditions are different than yours completely. Good luck!

[arleneg]

Hi & welcome to the forum, Michelle! I can hardly wait to see pics of your 'chids.

[Michelle]

Ok, here are some pics!

New phals:






Florida terrestrial about to bloom:



Catt about to bloom:

I've got lots more, didn't wanna overdo it tho

[Michelle]

Oh yeah, here are the "weeds" that I split up yesterday...Keep in mind this was one plant 15 hrs ago





There are about 5 more tiny pots with babies in them, but I figured they were redundant.

Sorry some are sunburnt! But that's how we roll in FL

[solay]

They look great and healthy too. Wish I had weeds like that growing. I love the Phals. The one with the bright pink lip is beautiful.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Michelle

I'm a native Floridian...I've had really bad luck with paphs (probably too hot here for these) and phals.

I doubt the problem with Paphs is heat as most Paphs prefer minimum temps not much lower than around 55-60F or so. Since you're a med student and don't have much time to dedicate, I suspect they dried out (Paphs need to be kept gently and evenly moist) or there was root loss from lack of repotting. Paphs are actually among the easiest of orchids to grow. Paphs make great windowsill orchids. Most of them are modest in size and if they were in a place like the windowsill over your kitchen sink, you wouldn't forget to water them.

Originally Posted by Michelle

I also have a cymbidium that I'd like to see flower but again; I'm afraid it's too hot here in FL for that to happen...

You're probably correct there. My Cymbidiums get "cold" in autumn/winter, as cool as 50F or below. They need that to initiate their flowering cycle.

[WTFD00D]

welcome aboard..