Question on my next orchid purchase; which type? - Orchid Board

annehylee · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 01:11 PM

I absolutely love this forum and it has helped me immensely

. My orchids are doing very well (I have 3 phals). I wanted to venture out and purchase a couple more once my phals are done blooming but I'm not sure which type of orchid to get.

Phals are generally the easiest out of all orchid types to grow at home for beginners (at least that's what I've been told). Can you suggest other types of orchids (other than phals) that would be good for beginners like moi?

~Anne

camille1585 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 01:22 PM

What type of orchids you get also depends on your growing conditions. For instance, what direction do your orchid growing windows face?

And 'easy' is relative when it comes to orchids. Some people can't keep phals alive (even some seasoned orchid growers), no matter what they do. For me it's the oncidium intergenics that I do badly with, and for others it will be Dendrobiums, or something else. But you can't know until you try!

cb977 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 01:23 PM

Happy to hear you're enjoying Orchidboard

The answer to your question depends on what type of lighting, temperature, humidity and space you are working with

If you can provide higher lighting and have no space issues...yet

...possibly a Cattleya or a Dendrobium?

annehylee · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 01:26 PM

LOL... It's tru... There have been many trial and errors with my phals too. I think the forum really helped me. All my windows face east and west. My orchids stay in the west window but not under direct sun. The sun filters through sheer curtains and sit back more in the summer so it doesn't get scorched. My house isn't very humid but nor is it dry. I don't know if that's good enough description. Generally, unless it's humid summer, I would say it's more towards the dryer side than humid side.

magicatt · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 01:27 PM

How about a paphiopedilum? They like to be moist the way phals do and they look great as well. Some like paph pinocchio are sequential bloomers.

annehylee · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 01:30 PM

I wonder how hard it would be to find these different breeds in Toronto?

annehylee · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 01:40 PM

OMG, I just saw the most beautiful Cattelya on a website. It's called, Cattleya Nobilis Natalia. It was absolutely gorgeous!!! And Dendrobiums are beautiful too, lol... I LOVE THEM ALL... lol... Instead of those crazy cat ladies, I'm gonna become a crazy orchid lady, hehehe...

Ross · #8 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicatt

How about a paphiopedilum? They like to be moist the way phals do and they look great as well. Some like paph pinocchio are sequential bloomers.

I totally agree! If one is having good luck with Phals and blooming them, etc. then Paphs should be a natural progression. For thos that have a tendency to over-water, however I would recommend Phrags as they generally like more moisture at the roots. All three of these have similar light requirements.

annehylee · #9 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 02:20 PM

Phrags are beautiful!!! I'm just not sure how I'm gonna find these orchids in Toronto. I'm gonna have to do some MAJOR research.

camille1585 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 02:27 PM

I don't know where you can get orchids in Toronto, but maybe some Canadian members will know. Otherwise you can order online (although it might be a bit cold now in Canada to be shipping orchids), here's some threads to get you started:

Buying orchids in Canada
Where to buy orchids