First post!

[JamesW]

Hello everyone- I must say, what a terrific resource this forum is; I have browsed for quite a while and am left in a state of information overload.

Recently, my wife underwent surgery, I'll omit the details, but she is now confined to the house for 6 weeks while recovering. In that light, she has always loved orchids but never had the time to care for them until now. I would like to buy several for her to care for and would love to hear some opinions on which to purchase.

I have read that the Phalaenopsis Orchids are quite easy to care for, but wanted to be sure. Our kitchen receives about 4 hours of direct morning sunlight, which is where I would imagine she would want to keep the orchids.

So, all that being said, can anyone offer any suggestions for an easy to care for orchid, as well as anything that I might need to purchase alongside for its care?

[Celcat]

Welcome to the Forum JamesW,

I am sorry to hear about your wife, but I am sure orchids will help her to cheer up while she is confined in the house.
Personnaly, I think the Phal are wonderful orchids to begin with. They do not need so much care to bloom again. They have beautiful flowers display and some can bloom for months!
Sun in the morning will not kill the Phal (well depending where you are located, maybe you should actually update your location). At worse, you will get sunburn on the leaves.
At the beginning, all you will need is a spray bottle, later you may need some fertilizer.

If I have forgotten something, I am sure other geeks will help

So now, you can get to the shop get a beautiful orchid, or 2 orchids and enjoy

[Hummer344]

Welcome, as you have found out there is a wealth of info on the fourm. Also there is a wealth of good cheer and good people. There is too much direct sun for a phal in your kitchen. They like indirect light. That being said, a phal is a good choice for a beginner & they generally last a long time in bloom. There is another factor here. Its where you live. If you could, go back & update your profile as to where you live it would be helpfull. There will be many people that will make a lot of good suggestions.

[tizzycat]

I agree with Hummer - you should avoid the direct sunlight for phals. Any orchid will grow providing you give them what they need, but a phal. would be a good place to start.

Good luck.

[JamesW]

Thank you all for your responses. I'll update my profile; We live in Charleston, South Carolina.

Sounds like I will be doing some shopping this morning

[digitalgate]

in your case may be cut flower might be better. as orchid flower last 2 week in water.You
have less hassle of watering everyday.

[Sharyn]

Hi James and welcome to the forum.

I find phals easy to grow. Indirect light is best. You'll find cultural information at the AOS and also on our forum. Here's a link for care instructions. AOS | Phalaenopsis

You might also think about getting your wife a book to accompany her new orchids. Try picking up a copy of Orthos All About Orchids. It's a great reference, inexpensive, and found at most home improvement stores as well as all book stores. Good luck!

[norris]

Hi James, and welcome My first orchid was a Phalaenopsis, then a few months later I got an Odontocidium type, I have found both of these do well... I still have them I keep them in an east window, I keep the Phal about 1 1/2 feet away from the window, and the Odontocidium a little closer.

[mayres]

Welcome James - norris has the right idea in my book - during the bright late spring to mid fall just move your plant(s) further from the windows. In general, eastern exposure is good for most low to medium light orchids. I actually killed my first phal by placing it directly on an eastern exposure window sill over the weekend at work. Came back on monday and it was "toast" - yellow and then brown. Have since learned to keep off to the side in all but the very earliest part of the morning or move a couple feet back from the window - now they are happy and re-bloom every year.
Speedy recovery to your wife and you BOTH enjoy some new orchids - we are here to at least help you through the orchid growing part!

[Tobi]

Hi and welcome James. A Phal or an Oncidium would be good starters. Oncidiums do well
in medium light, so an east window would be a good location for it. The suggestion that
Sharyn offered about getting a good beginners book would also help pass the time for
your wife. Who knows, she might enjoy it so much that she'll want more orchids and more reading material on their care.

[kid a]

Hello and welcome! Phalanopsis was my first orchid too! If you like phals you could maybe get her one for a different room in the house and an oncidium for the kitchen, lol! Either way once you have a few you will end up with more soon enough! Some of the beginner's books give section that list what types of orchids would be good for windows sills in direct light versus low light. If you only have a few you can only stare at them for so long before you dream about getting more and a book would be a great to introduce her to them, or set her with a membership to the forum too!

[jay]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I wish your wife a quick recovery.

As for another orchid to go with a Phal, I would suggest a Paphiopedilum (lady slipper). They like similar conditions, and where you live should be nice for them. Low to medium light (your kitchen sounds good with the East window), and nice humidity (which should not be a problem in SC)

Along with the culture sheets for Phal that Sharyn offered, check out the Paphiopedilum sheets there as well. Then check out this thread for watering technique.

Skewer use for watering of orchids

[Rocinante]

Hello and Welcome, James W.!

A nice colorful Phalaenopsis is a good choice for a beginner, I myself prefer Oncidiums. Less chance of over-watering and root-rot. The big pseudobulbs will wrinkle if you are under-watering. Here is a link to a good nursery in your state:

Welcome to Carter and Holmes Orchids Home Page

Best wishes for your wife's recovery!

[myorchid]

Welcome Hope your wife recovers soon.

I have an east facing kitchen window and find that the Paphiopedliums do great there. There are so many choices that it would be easy to pick a few.

I have the ortho orchid book, but another one that I like is Orchids for dummies.

Good luck in your choices, and post a picture when you get an orchid.

[solay]

I think whatever you buy your wife, she will be happy. And if by chance the plants don't survive, she still would have enjoyed it much longer than any cut flowers. Although they are nice too. Have fun shopping and best wishes on a speedy recovery. Oh, and when she becomes addicted to orchids like us, you'll need to support the habit. Be prepared!!!!