competely new! fact or fiction(confused)

[Oshi5Rock]

OK, I was at a party and they had Orchids as center pieces on each table. I was told that if you take off the flower, all you had to do was rest it on top of water like a lillypad, and put some asprin in the water, and sometimes they "take" and as soon as roots form enough, you put it in soil ... IS THIS TRUE!?! does this have ANY truth in it, at all ?

[gerneveyn]

It sounds like a myth to me. With the right plant hormones, some orchids such as a phalaenopsis can produce keikis, which are daughter plants. Or there is the stem propagation or seed methods which are done under aseptic conditions on sterile agar.

[Oshi5Rock]

ok, so would anyone like to reccomend a type of Orchid to get if i live in a dorm(window facing north) that basically stayes at a temperature in the lower 70s? It isnt that humid, at all. Im trying to list out everything a person may need to help me out, so if i have forgotten anything, just ask... or someone could just recomend a site that has an Orchid selector quiz or something, anything would be quite helpfull

[arleneg]

Hi Oshi5rock,

Welcome to the forum.

You may start by visiting this site:

http://www.taygeta.com/aos_culture.html

It has the AOS (American Orchid Society) culture sheets that explain the different types of orchids. I strongly suggest starting with a "beginner's" orchid. Since you have a north facing window, you may need supplemental lighting (Grow Lux bulb, flourescent, etc.).

Sorry, my info is rather vague. I'm still a beginner in this hobby and am sure one of the experts in this forum will chime in with more specific info.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

If it is a north facing window (no sun at all, ever), there is one to try that is very low light, grows at room temps and can (must) be over watered. I think this is a sleeper orchid, not enough people realize how easy a plant can be that has such a great flower. It is Phragmipedium besseae, which has a bright red flower. I just about killed a perfectly mature healthy besseae by growing it with my Cattleyas. I realized my error about the time the plant had been reduced to just out of flask size. Since it has been growing in very low light for the last year, lower than my Phals, it has regained about half of mature size. I water it almost every day. Some people let them sit permanently in a shallow dish of water. Can't think of anything that would be more carefree.

[Oshi5Rock]

thanks u guys for the info

[Oshi5Rock]

OK i was looking for this orchid you suggested on getting, but i dont hafe a flower shop near me, i was wondering if amazon.com is good....



...or a bad idea(having a flower shipped)

Is it safe?

[SwTLaDYy16]

You should look into ludisia discolor, also known as jewel orchid. they require very low light and are very easy to grow. They need to have their growing media constantly moist. The foliage is very beautiful, but the flowers are very small. the flowers are white and they grow out of velvety green leaves w/ purple veins. It's a very easy and rewarding orchid to start off with.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Shipping this time of year can be a concern. You could do a google search for orchid nurseries in Florida. I know there are a lot of them in Florida. If you find some, give them a call and see if they have an inexpensive beginners besseae as I notice these are a little pricey, OR, here are a number of hybrids that are at least 3/4 besseae, and should have similar low light requirements.

Pragmipedium Don Wimber
Pragmipedium Jason Fischer
Pragmipedium Saint Peter
Pragmipedium Saint Quen
Pragmipedium Scarlet O'Hara
Pragmipedium Waunakee Sunset

In any event, be sure to talk to who ever your order from and make sure they ship with the weather in mind. I just had the coldest night in 4 years last night. It gets exciting when your heaters won't hold the set temperature, inspite of sealing up the greenhouse super tight.

[johnemartin]

Some growers ship plants with a "heat pack" (name may vary with grower) that provides heat for the plant for the days it is in transit.

[Oshi5Rock]

now are all of these types of Orchids OK in a constant temperature of like 73?

[arleneg]

Yes, they are fine in cool temps, up to 78 degrees, sometimes up to 85.

[Daniel S. Barrett]

Hi Cynthia,
is Mem. Dick Clements, Caudatum Var. Lindenii, or
Calurum Var. Roseum on that low light list?
& where can I get a list of just low light grown Phrag. varieties?
I just started growing Phrags this year for the first time when I was given one as a gift, I now have 3 & I expect the number to keep growing. I can see It would be a good idea to have a handy list to refer to before placing plants on the growing bench.

[Maddy]

I was about to recommend Ludistas, but then I realized someone already did.

For ordering online, I'd recommend www.orchids.com. They're in Montclair, CA. Over the past year I've ordered twelve different plants from them and they've all thrived. They have 2 day or overnight shipping via FedEx.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Phrag besseae is the only low light Phrag I know of, and a first generation of besseae with anything else is probably a little lower than regular Phrags, but I only have personal experience with besseae for low light. All my other Prags, all species, are in moderate light that is appropriate for Catts. The hybrids with besseae are said to be easier to grow than other Phrags, but I have never had a problem with any of my Prags, so I am not quite sure what they mean by easier, unless they mean has a lower light requirement, maybe growing with Phals. Maybe if someone is going to order a hybrid cross with besseae, which I think the Mem Dick Clements is, they could ask about the light requirement. Those that are 3/4 besseae, as I have listed above, should be closer to the low light side of besseae.