S/H questions..good starter orchid?

[Schlyne]

So I want to get in on the after dark project, and the Leca S/H seems to be a good medium for that, but I don't want to start an after dark in the new medium. What would be a good plant to start out with in the S/H?

I have an Odtna. Lorraines' 14th 'WOC' which is blooming right now that came from hawaii with very wrinkled leaves and wrinkled pseduobulbs...so it wasn't getting quite enough water in the pot that it's in. (Or it seems to have higher water requirments.) It's going to need to need to be divided or go into a bigger pot when it goes for repotting, would this be a good plant for S/H? I also have an Catsetum integerrimum on my wishlist, what about something like that? Should I try out S/H with something else?

[Dendian]

I have learned that, whatever you choose, it must be starting to grow new roots because the old ones will not like the change in media and will probably die.

Having said that, most of my Oncidiums love S/H. The roots seem to go crazy for the damp.

My Catts took a bit to get used to it, but they are not "wrinkling" their leaves at me any more and I have new growth on most plants.

[orchidea]

It's the best to start something in S/H that has some new growth and new roots developing.
I found out the hard way.....
The wrinkled leaves could be the sign of low humidity. I would say it could benefit from S/H if it has a new growth now.
Good luck.

[syndywindy]

I think your Odtna. would be a good choice. I have a few different orchid types in S/H with very good success. I have a few catt's as well as Onc., Wilsonara, Brassia, and Burrageara. All have taken to S/h quite well. These do tend to use up the water in the resevoir pretty fast, so you do need to keep an eye on it so it doesn't go dry.

[Schlyne]

Originally Posted by orchidea

The wrinkled leaves could be the sign of low humidity.

It came in that way from Hawaii...humidity is not a problem down there!

[rcb]

Schlyne - I don't grow in S/H, but I saw you mentioned two of the Ctsm alliance plants, and I don't think this time of year is a good time to start them in S/H. They are about to go into dormancy soon, and shouldn't be putting out new roots now.

BTW, come springtime, it could work, I think Jay grows his Ctsms in S/H.