All my orchids are on one plant stand.

[Winterwhite]

At the moment I have 26 orchids; several of every variety, small and mature and some in spike and bloom. I am beginning to realize that one space does not fit all. I have just finished reading that phals like low light, denobriums like more light and cymbidiums like it cooler. I am also thinking that I might just move some of my phals back onto window sills. They have had a very rough time in my kitchen. I am also thinking that perhaps I should get a small humidity controlled environment for my seedlings. They are in small two inch pots with a small size mix and really seem to be so thirsty. I think part of my problem is that I really don't have a handle on any one type of orchid and have taken on too many with different needs.
What I am finding is that when orchid houses sell you an orchid, it is under the most optimum conditions and specific to that orchids needs. It doesn't necessarily mean that you can duplicate that environment at home. Certainly not when you have 26 orchids on one plant stand in the kitchen all under moderate to heavy lighting and in temperatures ranging from 68 to 80 degrees, (low to hight,) for six months. I think you can sense my frustration. So the question is......should I be thinking about alternate spaces and conditions for my orchids? One condition doesn't fit all and yet I see orchids on full plant stands that are doing very well. Thank you again. Winterwhite

[dennis]

what i have learned and i am far from an expert. i started ot with a few varieties then focused on phals. after a few problems i transplanted into semi hydroponics, that solved the watering needs and everything is thriving in it. i have mine in a southern windowthat is filtered lightly and have them arranged in according to thier needs of the light so far i have not had any problems

You can arrange your plants on your plant stand to be either closer or farther from the light, depending on their needs. For example, dead center for high light, and toward the ends of the bulbs or on a lower shelf for lower light needs. As far as needing to be cool, those plants must of course be taken off the plant stand and put in a cooler situation. Light, however, is the most important factor in a plant's growth. So giving a plant the coolness it needs without adequate light will slowly kill it for sure.

For example, in my south window I have the cattleyas right up against the glass to get as much light as possible. Behind them are the phals, which need a lot less light. This is a warm window. The dendrobium nobiles are in my west window, which gets very bright light but is also very cool. This suits the den nobiles just fine as that's what they like.

You will have to do some research on your plants. I was getting so confused about what plant needed what that I started keeping culture cards on all my plants. I have large index cards, one for each type of plant, and I list the type of plant at the top, and then I have separate topics for light, temperature, water, fertilizer, repotting (includes media), bloom time, etc. As I come across new information on a plant I jot it down on the card. Now I have come across a lot of conflicting information. I try one way, and if that doesn't work I try the other.

People in each geographical area grow in different ways, so when you get information on a plant, you must consider the source. What works for a grower in Florida or on the west coast might not work for you in upstate New York. And growing in a greenhouse is far different than growing under lights or on windowsills.

Then I went a step further and made a card for each individual plant. On that across the top I jot down the name, color, parents, where I bought it, how many bulbs it had, etc. Then I have columns for date of repotting, type of pot and/or media, treatment for insects, date of new shoots or spikes, date of bloom, end of bloom.

This may seem like a lot of work, but I find it pleasurable, and it has helped me become a much better grower.

[mayres]

Winterwhite - I have been learning many of the same lessons. I have about 100 plants all growing in office or home (spare room) environments. The paphs and phals do wonderfully under my fluorescents year round. The dends, catts, onc's, and other higher light need plants I put outside on the east side of my house in mid April or so - which bloomed them well last fall and into spring (under fluorescents during the cold season). One of the genera I have yet to figure out how to do well are the miltoniopsis types - that seem to be suffering for lack of humidity - accordian leaves and flowers that don't want to fully open. Absolutely - not all genera are going to do well with each of our environments that we have available for them. Once we find what we can do well the others will just have to be appreciated at the shows or online I guess - or pray that we might someday be fortunate enough to have a greenhouse environment like some have......In the meantime, we all continue to experiment and see what we can do and enjoy these lovelies..............

[Winterwhite]

Mike...thank you for your encouragement. This winter has been a learning experience for sure. I'm actually thinking about moving some of my phals to a cooler area.....the window sills in the dining room. I think my initial concept of one setting fits all will have to be evaluated. I'm still only in the 26 plant league but before I add more, will have to feel more confident about humidity and heat control. But thank you for being there. Winterwhite

[Winterwhite]

Hello orchid 126.
You've given me much valuable advice to mull over. I think I will find some new spaces for some of my orchids. For one, I think I will get a humidifier for part of the kitchen. Thank you for responding to my dilemma. Winterwhite

[Winterwhite]

Dennis....thank you for responding. After reading everyones responses, I think I will move some of these back to the window sills in the dining room. I am most concerned about my phals and I think they thrived better on the windows than under bright lights and the warmer kitchen. Thank you again. Winterwhite