Help me decide!

[Fabolusus]

The Philadelphia Flower Show is starting on Sunday, and the International Orchid Show on March 30. I really want to completely fill my grow room, so I'm making a list of orchids to look out for. Can anyone offer some suggestions? I'm looking for intermediate to low light, miniature to average sized orchids. I especially enjoy free flowering and fragrant species. Also, I want to try a hanging/mounted orchid for my living room. It can be any size, but must tolerate low light (I have a 15 foot window, but the high rise across the street blocks out any direct light). So far my list is: Maxilaria tenufolia, Phal. equestrus, Cirr. medusae, B. David Sander, Phrag. Don Wimber (or similar). I also want to buy a photometer that measures in foot candles. Can anyone suggest a model or brand?

[mayres]

You might want to reconsider putting a phrag into your collection? They need lots of light and humidity. How about a paph instead? They are much more tolerant to lower light levels. I have found what used to be called colmonara (odontocidiums) to be fairly tolerant of lower light levels and bloom quite well for me in NE lighting of my ofice.

[Buttercup]

Hi Fabolusus ,

I went around camera shops this weekend looking for photo light meters and was pretty surprised that they all cost upwards of $150. I went to a local nursery afterwards and found a light meter (which measures in footcandles) for only $15. (I also tried Fry's thinking they might have a light meter but they looked at me like they had never heard of one). Just wanted to pass this along.

Let us know what you pick to fill out your collection!!

[arleneg]

Hi fabolusus,

If you don't mind ordering online, you can buy a light meter from:

http://www.planetnatural.com/site/grow-light-meter.html

Otherwise, you can search the internet for the same type by typing the brand name. I know there are a few web stores that carry the same light meter. Or, you can check Home Depot, etc., if they carry it.

In regard to mounted orchids, visit Andy's Orchids. Most of his plants are mounted and are of good quality.

[Fabolusus]

Mike- How much light, exactly? I was planning on putting it under my 400 watt HID. I maintain 60 -70% humidity at 65-75 degrees F, with 4 oscillating fans running constantly.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Phrag bessiae needs much less light than other Phrags.

[kmarch]

Dear Fabolusus,

There is a thread on this forum called "How to Select Orchids". Quite a few people (myself included) have posted thoughts and tips on how to select orchids for your space.

In one sense orchids are no different than any other plant: if you give them the growing conditions they want, they will thrive. Therefore it is extreemely important that you assess your growing conditions (light, temperature, humidity, how often you can water, etc) and select orchids that do well in those conditions.

I see in an earlier post you have 60-70% humidity and 65-75F temps. The humidity is good but you will want to avoid high-humidity plants like alot of the delicate little species that come from the mountains of South America that live in the cloud forests and get 100% humidity 24/7.

I'm not sure if your temps are day or night. If they are day, you're in the intermediate to cool region. If your temps are constant year-round, you'll want to avoid things like Cymbidiums and some Phals which require a seasonal temperature drop in autum to initiate flowering.

As I have always grown in natural light and flourescent lighting, i don't know how bright a 400watt HID light is. Can someone else weigh in on this one?

Another important rule when shopping for new orchids is: Ask lots of questions. In my experience, vendors are happy to answer questions, afterall they want you to become a good grower so you will buy more orchids! If you are thinking of buying a particular kind of orchid, visit the American Orchid Society website and download a culture sheet and see if you can provide what they need. If you're considering something unique and can't find an AOS culture sheet, do some research in your library or online. Ask for cultural information on forums like these and make sure you can provide what the plant needs before buying it.

You are going to have GREAT FUN!

Happy Growing,

-Kevin

[Fabolusus]

kmarch- It is unseasonably warm here, but I have a really good heating/cooling system and I can make it whatever temperature I need. I try to keep a medium temperature to accomodate the wide variety of orchids I have. I have had absolutely no trouble flowering phals, I actually have 3 in bloom and one in spike. My lighting system puts out 29,000 lumens at 400 watts, and I get around 1500 foot candles at 24 inches away. My top shelf is significantly brighter, but is completely filled. I have had great success with oncidium alliance, phals, and epidendrums.

[kmarch]

Dear Fabolusus,

It sounds like you're off to a great start, especially with the Phals. Good on ya (as we say here in Australia)! I think, you have enough light for orchids in the Cattleya aliance, things like Cattleyas, Lelias, Encyclias, etc., etc. and all of their hybrids. From here on it's a matter of what strikes your fancy. i believe you could flower Phragmipediums on your upper shelf, possibly on your lower. I'm sure you could do fine wit almost any kind of Paphiopedilum. Try some of the Vandenopsis hybrids (cross between Vandas and Phals). There are some nice ones out there. If you fancy the unusual you might even consider something like a Gongora. Gongoras have long pendant inflorescences with amazing flowers that look like little flying dragons...no kidding. They are easy to grow and bloom but for some reason, occasionally suffer from sudden-death syndrome. I've had a few that after growing and blooming for some time just completely expired for some reason without warning.

Also try one of my favorite genus, Coelogyne. Lots of diversity in Coelogyne from frilly white flowers (Coelogyne cristata) to charming little elfish flowers (Coelogyne fimbriata) to spectacular green and black (Coelogyne pandurata). They come from all over the world and form all sorts of climates (tropical and wet to mountainous and cool) so check with your vendor to make sure a particular species will fit your conditions.

For every one I have mentioned, I have forgot 5, so hopefully others will have some good suggestions too.

Cheers,

-K

[Fabolusus]

Thanks everyone! Mayres- I really like the wild look of some of the odontocidiums. I think one would look great in my living room. Buttercup- If I can't find one for $50 or less I'll order one online. Arleneg- I'm going to keep an eye out for mounted orchids. Does the wood they're mounted on break down over time? Cynthia- I did a little research and I think I could handle bessiae. Kmarch- I definitely want a Coelogyne! How do you pronounce that?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Watch out for the coelogynes. Some like it quite cool. Ask when you are about to buy, if it is a warm grower, which will be easier. I am still trying to make my cristata happy, cold frame in winter.

[kmarch]

Dear Fabolusus,

Coelogyne is pronounced: see-LODGE-eh-nee. Dudley Clayton (Coelogyne expert) prefers the pronounciation: see-lo-GUY-nee but I have never, in my 10 years of orchid growing and 4 of judging, heard anyone use the latter, always the former.

Cynthia is quite right to reiterate the need to carefully select Coelogyne that fit your conditions. Coelogyne come from a wide range of habitats, from cool mountain elevations to hot, humid sea-level forests and everything in between. C. cristata, for example, comes from the Himalayas and likes a cool, cool winter (as low as 45-50F) in order to bloom. If you can't provide that cool period, it will grow and grow and never bloom. As you are in PA you might be able to accomplish this by leaving your plant outdoors in the autumn and take it in when the temp dips below about 45-50F at night. Here in Australia, I leave mine outdoors all winter long (nightime temps are about 45-55F in the winter).

Here are a few Coelogyne I have successfully grown and bloomed in my home on a windowsill:
C. finbriata
C. ovalis
C. primulinum (a yellow form of fimbriata)
C. speciosa
C. xyrekes
C. flaccida
C. gramanifolia
C. minuta (although it requied me to mist daily and water about every 3 days)
C. tomentosa (you might see C. massangeana, which is a syn. for tomentosa)
C. prolifera (in spike for the first time now)

Dudley Clayton has an excellent book on Coelogyne. It does have helpful general cultural info, but only about 5 pages of it. If you have questions about specific plants check that book, ask people in your local orchid society, or continue this thread.

Happy growing!

-Kevin