I am starting to give up on orchids

[aries23]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Phalaenopsis are in my opinion the worst orchids for beginners.

Phals are a beginner's nightmare, and is one of the types of orchids where many of the myths about orchids being difficult to grow come from.

It's good that you are realizing that there are other alternatives to explore as a beginner!

In fact, yes, there are quite a number of shade growing orchids that you can easily grow at home (indoors or outdoors, depending on your climate).

Have you ever considered growing Zygopetalum?

I live in delaware. I have windows that in the morning I get sunlight on the far right and in the evening on the far left. So i depend on the blinds to get the direct hit of the light. In the summer the central air is on and its about 74-75 in the day and in the night 73-74. In the winter its 76-77 in the day and then at night i will close the vent.

I dont know the humidity.

I know I have alot of bright light because mostly we just have the patio panels open and its really bright. and at night we just use two small table lights.

The Phal in the coconut husk mix is on my table I hope she is doing well. Some of the top roots shriveled a bit. The leaves are on the darker color green.

My mini Phal is not doing good thou. Even thou her leaves a light green and firm.

No new roots have come out since I purchased them about a month and half ago.

I also have some Dens I bought and they are hanging outside and they do recieve the direct sunlight , they dont seem like they are doing good either.

Can you please reccommend some Types of Orchids for these growing conditions please!! Thank you.

[WhiteRabbit]

are you orchids sitting on the windowsill - or farther away? How often do you water them?
The Dens that are outside - how much light do they get? and how often are they watered? What type of media? Have they been repotted? Can you post some pix?

[aries23]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

are you orchids sitting on the windowsill - or farther away? How often do you water them?
The Dens that are outside - how much light do they get? and how often are they watered? What type of media? Have they been repotted? Can you post some pix?

I barely have a windowsill. No they are on tables in my living room. Like I quoted they get indirect light. Once every week and half or two. I dont want them to get root rot. The Phal is in coconut husk mix and i water it with distilled water (warmed) and fertilize every other week or two. That one has not been repotted. The Dens are hanging upside down will Spanish moss on the roots and its also watered the same way except I just run the shower on it when i bring it in. That one gets direct sun light in the morning and in the evening.

The Mini Phal is in Spanish moss and is very dry.

Hopefully i can post pictures soon!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Okay...

I'll make this simple.

1. Do you plan to grow indoors or outdoors?

2. You stated the day temperatures during the summer and the winter. What about the night temperatures?

3. Are you willing to get a thermometer that also reads for humidity?

4. Do you have a RO/DI unit? If not, is there a water store near you? Should you plan to use tap water (which I don't recommend, because I personally have had disastrous results with using tap water here in the LA County area - I have a suspicion that some of my plants died from using tap water), do you know the water chemistry and quality of your city's tap water (chlorine and chloramine, or any flourides, dissolved minerals or heavy metals such as calcium and magnesium, lead, copper)?

5. Would you say that you're a person who has a busy schedule and likes to travel? (This sounds unusual, but trust me, it has everything to do with orchids.)

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Okay, as far as your Phals are concerned.

It may not be humid enough. Particularly if you have the AC on.

Spanish moss isn't real moss. It's Tillandsia usneoides (a miniature bromeliad from the genus Tillandsia). The Spanish moss you most likely have is dead, so it wouldn't be worth it to you to actually try and grow these.

The temperatures may be too cool for your Phals.

What kind of Dendrobiums do you own?

Not all of them grow pendulously. Some do actually grow upright. Particularly those that are in the section Latourea (I don't think they have a common section name so I'll call those in the section Latourea "Goblin Dens", cause they look all funky and hairy) and Spathulata (Antelope Dens).

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It sounds more and more that you'd probably do better with Sedirea japonica as a starter plant.

Sedirea japonica has the same kind of leaf structure and arrangement that Phals have. They got thick roots like Phals.

Here's what's cool about them:

1. They are fragrant.

2. They are showy.

3. They take cooler temperatures than Phals do.

4. They are very floriferous. It's not uncommon for them to put out multiple spikes in one blooming season.

5. They are in my opinion very hardy compared to Phals.

6. Humidity can be comparatively lower than that necessary for growing Phals.

7. Their light requirements are similar to that of Phals, although they can take brighter lighting.

Although, I think Zygopetalums would do well for you too.

A specific suggestion would be Zygopetalum mackayi.

1. Flowers are showy and unusual.

2. They are fragrant.

3. They are attractive in or out of bloom.

4. Blooms easily.

5. Temperatures like yours will be fine.

6. They are sturdy plants.

[aries23]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Okay...

I'll make this simple.

1. Do you plan to grow indoors or outdoors?

2. You stated the day temperatures during the summer and the winter. What about the night temperatures?

3. Are you willing to get a thermometer that also reads for humidity?

4. Do you have a RO/DI unit? If not, is there a water store near you? Should you plan to use tap water (which I don't recommend, because I personally have had disastrous results with using tap water here in the LA County area - I have a suspicion that some of my plants died from using tap water), do you know the water chemistry and quality of your city's tap water (chlorine and chloramine, or any flourides, dissolved minerals or heavy metals such as calcium and magnesium, lead, copper)?

5. Would you say that you're a person who has a busy schedule and likes to travel? (This sounds unusual, but trust me, it has everything to do with orchids.)

1. Indoors

2. I live in delaware. I have windows that in the morning I get sunlight on the far right and in the evening on the far left. So i depend on the blinds to get the direct hit of the light. In the summer the central air is on and its about 74-75 in the day and in the night 73-74. In the winter its 76-77 in the day and then at night i will close the vent

3. I dont know what store to buy one at?

4. I use gallon of distilled water from the store.

5. I stay at home mostly, but when I leave to go and visit family its usually for two to three days.

[Call_Me_Bob]

phals are hard

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't know that any orchids can thrive that far away from the light. They can do ok for a little while in dark areas, but certainly won't rebloom.
You said you barely have a windowsill - how big is it?
If you can't grow on a windowsill, you may need artificial lighting.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You can buy the thermometer/humidity meter at places like OSH or Lowe's. I've seen some at OSH for sure. Go online and start shopping around, you might find great deals for this equipment as well.

I know I said it in the previous post, but here are my top choices for beginner's plants for you.

1. Sedirea japonica

2. Zygopetalum mackayi

Until I know what your humidity is like, I can't give you more suggestions.

These two are the most tolerant plants I can think of.